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BV  4910  .S4  1840 

Scripture  portions  for  the 
afflicted,  especially  the 


SCRIPTURE  PORTIONS 


THE  AFFLICTED, 


ESPECIALLY    THE    SICK; 


REFLECTIONS  FROM  VARIOUS  AUTHORS. 


PRESBYTERIAN  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION. 

WILLIAM  S.  MARTIEN,  PUBLISHING  AGENT. 

1840. 


PREFACE. 

The  afflicted  are  frequently  unable  to 
read  much,  or  bear  much  to  be  read  to 
them.  The  Bible,  at  such  a  time,  is 
most  "profitable  for  doctrine,  for  re- 
proof, for  correction,  for  instruction 
in  righteousness."  Passages  selected 
from  the  sacred  pages,  with  hints  on 
them  to  show  their  bearings,  and  set 
the  thoughts  in  motion,  cannot  there- 
fore be  inappropriate;  and  the  reflec- 
tions of  those  devout  men,  who  have 
seriously  and  laboriously  weighed  them, 
are  likely  to  prove  peculiarly  accept- 
able. The  additional  remarks  of  expe- 
rimental Christians,  several  of  which 
are  from  the  hps  of  the  dying,  are  cal- 
culated to  aflford  great  encouragement 
and  direction,  as  they  will  show,  in  the 
most  convincing  manner,  that  what  the 
text  and  the  comment  enforce,  many 


IV  PREFACE. 

have,  by  the  aid  of  God's  grace  and 
Spirit,  both  experienced  and  practised. 
Nor  can  the  poetical  reflections  be  un- 
seasonable; many  of  them  have  already 
solaced  the  hours  of  affliction,  and  are 
peculiarly  adapted  for  "  songs  in  the 
night."  May  the  Divine  blessing  make 
this  little  work  a  blessing  to  the  wound- 
ed in  spirit,  to  guide  them  to  Him,  who, 
when  He  was  upon  earth,  "  healed  all 
manner  of  sicknesses  and  all  manner  of 
diseases  among  the  people."  "Blessed 
is  the  man  whom  thou  chastenest,  O 
Lord,  and  teachest  him  out  of  thy  law," 
Psalm  xciv.  12. 


SCRIPTURE  PORTIONS 


THE  AFFLICTED. 


Genesis,  xlii.  36. 
And  Jacob  their  father  said  unto  them,  Me  have  ye 
bereaved  of  my  children :  Joseph  is  not,  and  Simeon  is 
not,  and  ye  will  take  Benjamin  away :  all  these  things 
are  against  me. 

And  yet  God  was  not  only  carrying  on 
great  designs  by  the  means  Jacob  so  much 
disliked,  for  the  advancement  of  his  family, 
but  was  laying  the  foundation  of  a  glorious 
scene  of  providence,  the  memorial  of  which 
will  last  as  long  as  the  Bible.  We  often  pass 
a  wrong  sentence  concerning  this  or  that  pro- 
vidence, and,  in  our  haste,  say  things  that  are 
very  unjust,  and  afterwards  see  reason  to  make 
a  recantation. — Benjamin  Bennet. 

Oh  what  rare  mercies  often  lie  hid  under 

some   dark   and   afflicting   providence,    even 

while  they  are  at  our  hand,  and  are  not  seen, 

from  the  frowardness  of  an  embittered  spirit, 

A  2 


6  Gen.  xlvii.  9. 

that  will  not  let  its  own  eyes  see  the  advan- 
tage of  such  a  case;  but,  as  if  they  did  well  to 
be  angry  against  God,  men  will  quarrel  more 
for  his  crossing  their  humour,  than  observe 
his  tenderness  for  promoting  their  real  good, 
and  cry  against  Him  because  He  will  not  undo 
them ! — Fleming. 

As  in  a  clock,  one  motion  doth  convey 
And  carry  divers  wheels  a  several  way; 
Yet  altogether,  by  the  great  wheel's  force, 
Direct  the  hand  unto  his  proper  course : 
Even  so  that  sacred  will,  although  it  use 
Means  seeming  contrary,  yet  all  conduce 
To  one  effect,  and,  in  a  free  consent, 
They  bring  to  pass  Heaven's  high  decreed  intent. 

QUARLES. 


Genesis,  xlvii.  9. 
And  Jacob  said  unto  Pharaoh,  The  days  of  the  years 
of  my  pilgrimage  are  an  hundred  and  thirty  years ;  few 
and  evil  have  the  days  of  the  years  of  my  life  been,  and 
have  not  attained  unto  the  days  of  the  years  of  the  life  of 
my  fathers  in  the  days  of  their  pilgrimage. 

This  is  not  the  language  of  discontent  or 
unthankfulness,  but  the  serious  reflection  of 
one  who  felt  the  vanity  of  the  world,  and  saw 


^ 


Gen.  xlvii.  9.  7 

nothing  here  to  make  him  desirous  of  a  longer 
abode  in  it.  Shall  not  we  also  make  the  same 
estimate  of  human  life?  Is  it  not  "  a  pilgrim- 
age?" And  does  not  the  whole  of  our  situa- 
tion here  admonish  us  to  "  seek  a  better 
country,  that  is,  a  heavenly?"  Seventy  or 
eighty  years  may  seem  a  considerable  space 
while  it  is  future,  but  it  passeth  away  "  as  a 
tale  that  is  told."  It  should  also  be  remem- 
bered, that,  short  as  our  existence  is,  it  is  sadly 
embittered  with  calamities,  and  stained  with 
sin.  Take,  then,  "  the  picture  of  earth's  hap- 
piest man,"  when  he  is  quitting  the  present 
scene  of  things,  and  you  will  justly  conclude, 
"Few  and  evil  have  his  days  been." — 
Thomas  Robinson. 

Well,  if  ye  must  be  sad  and  fe^v, 

Run  on,  my  days,  in  haste  ; 
Moments  of  sin,  and  months  of  wo, 

Ye  cannot  fly  too  fast. 

Let  heavenly  love  prepare  my  soul, 

And  call  her  to  the  skies. 
Where  years  of  long  salvation  roll, 

And  glory  never  dies. 

Watts. 


8  Deut.  VIII.  5. — 1  Sam.  hi.  18. 

Deuteronomy,  viii.  5. 

Thou  shalt  also  consider  in  thine  heart,  that  as  a  man 
chasteneth  his  son,  so  the  Lord  thy  God  chasteneth  thee. 

God  is  a  loving,  tender  Father  to  all  his 
children;  yet,  when  there  is  occasion,  they 
shall  feel  the  smart  of  his  rod.  Israel  did  so: 
they  were  chastened  that  they  might  not  be 
condemned;  chastened  with  the  rod  of  men; 
not  as  a  man  wounds  and  slays  his  enemies, 
whose  destruction  he  aims  at,  but  as  a  man 
chasteneth  his  son,  whose  happiness  and  wel- 
fare he  designs. — M.  Henry. 

Kind,  loving  is  the  hand  that  strikes, 

However  keen  the  smart, 
If  sorrow's  discipline  can  chase 

One  evil  from  the  heart. 

Fry. 


1  Samuel,  iii.  18. 
It  is  the  Lord  :  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him  good. 

When  we  receive  evil  at  the  hands  of  men, 
we  may,  ordinarily  at  least,  justly  complain 
of  it.  It  may  be  they  had  no  good  intention 
in  afflicting  us;  or  they  had  no  right  to  afflict 


1  Sam.  III.  18.  9 

and  grieve  us:  they  are  both  unkind  and  in- 
jurious in  what  they  do.  But  this  cannot  be 
said  of  the  blessed  God.  He  is  the  Lord,  the 
great  Sovereign  of  the  world;  and  whenever 
he  brings  sufferings  upon  us,  he  hath  a  right 
to  do  what  he  doth,  and  we  owe  him  a  full 
submission.  This  we  should  consider  on  all 
such  occasions,  and  endeavour  to  see  his  hand, 
and  be  still  and  quiet  under  it. — Benjamin 
Bennet. 

It  is  the  Lord — enthroned  in  light, 

Whose  claims  are  all  divine; 
Who  has  an  undisputed  right 

To  govern  me  and  mine. 

It  is  the  Lord — should  I  distrust, 

Or  contradict  his  will, 
Who  cannot  do  but  what  is  just. 

And  must  be  righteous  still  ? 

It  is  the  Lord — whose  matchless  skill 

Can,  from  afflictions,  raise 
Matter  eternity  to  fill 

With  ever-growing  praise. 

T.  Greene. 


10  2  Samuel,  xxiv.  14. 

2  Samuel,  xxiv.  14. 

And  David  said  unto  Gad,  I  am  in  a  great  strait:  let 
us  fall  now  into  the  hand  of  the  Lord  ;  for  his  mercies 
are  great :  and  let  me  not  fall  into  the  hand  of  man. 

When  did  he  look  for  mercy?  Even  when 
the  Lord  was  resolved  to  afflict  him.  David 
did  not  say  his  mercies  are  great,  when  he 
gives  me  wealth,  riches,  and  honour;  when 
he  gives  deliverance,  and  works  salvation  for 
his  people;  but  when  he  is  smiting  his  people, 
and  consuming  them  with  the  dreadful  pesti- 
lence. The  woundings  of  God  have  more 
kindness  in  them  than  the  kisses  of  many 
men.  Man  seldom  shows  pity  to  those  who 
are  smitten,  but  how  rarely  doth  he  show  pity 
while  he  is  smiting,  or  mingle  mercy  with 
his  justice!  God  usually  exerciseth  sparing 
mercy  towards  his  enemies;  and  he  always 
doth  it  towards  his  whole  people,  against 
whom  he  never  suffers  his  own  displeasure  to 
arise,  though  he  be  often  provoked  by  them, 
and  displeased  with  them. — Caryl. 

Give  to  our  God  immortal  praise, 
Mercy  and  truth  are  all  his  ways ; 
Wonders  of  grace  to  God  belong : 
Repeat  his  mercies  in  your  song. 

Dr.  Watts. 


2  Kings,  i.  2.  11 

2  Kings,  i.  2. 

Go,  enquire — whether  I  shall  recover  of  this  dis- 
ease. 

We  should  be  more  thoughtful  what  will 
become  of  us  after  death,  than  how  or  when 
we  shall  die;  and  more  desirous  to  be  told 
how  we  may  carry  ourselves  well  in  our  sick- 
ness, and  get  good  to  our  souls  by  it,  than 
whether  we  shall  recover  from  it  or  not. — 
M.  Henry. 

If  light  attends  the  course  I  run, 
'Tis  God  provides  those  rays; 

And  'tis  his  hand  that  hides  my  sun 
If  darkness  cloud  my  days. 

Yet  I  would  not  be  much  concern'd, 

Nor  vainly  long  to  see 
The  volume  of  his  deep  decrees. 

What  months  are  writ  for  me. 

When  he  reveals  the  book  of  life, 

O  may  I  read  my  name 
Amongst  the  chosen  of  his  love. 

The  followers  of  the  Lamb ! 

Dr.  Watts. 


12         2  Chron.  XVI.  12.— XXXII.  24,  25. 

2  Chronicles,  xvi.  12. 

And  Asa,  in  the  thirty  and  ninth  year  of  his  reign, 
was  diseased  in  his  feet,  until  his  disease  was  exceeding 
great:  yet  in  his  disease  he  sought  not  to  the  Lord,  but 
to  the  physicians. 

His  making  use  of  physicians  was  his  duty; 
but  trusting  to  them,  and  expecting  that  from 
them  which  was  to  be  had  from  God  only, 
was  his  sin  and  folly.  The  help  of  creatures 
must  always  be  used  with  an  eye  to  the 
Creator,  and  in  dependence  upon  Him,  who 
makes  every  creature  that  to  us  which  it  is, 
and  without  whom  the  most  skilful  and  faith- 
ful are  physicians  of  no  value. — M.  Henry. 

My  flesh  is  hastening  to  decay, 

Soon  shall  the  world  have  passed  away; 

But  what  can  mortal  friends  avail, 

When  heart,  and  strength,  and  life  shall  fail  ? 

But  oh !  be  Thou,  my  Saviour,  nigh. 
And  I  will  triumph  while  I  die ; 
My  strength,  my  portion,  is  divine. 
And  Jesus  is  for  ever  mine! 


2  Chronicles,  xxxii.  24,  25. 

In  those  days   Hezekiah  was  sick  to  the  death,  and 
prayed  unto  the  Lord:  and  he  spake  unto  him,  and  he 


2  Chron.  XXXII.  24,  25.  13 

gave  him  a  sign.  But  Hezekiah  rendered  not  again  ac- 
cofding  to  the  benefit  done  unto  him ;  for  his  heart  was 
lifted  up:  therefore  there  was  wrath  upon  him,  and  upon 
Judah  and  Jerusalem. 

It  is  justly  expected  that  they  that  have  re- 
ceived mercy  from  God,  should  stud)^  to  make 
some  suitable  returns  for  the  mercies  they 
have  received;  and  if  they  do  not,  their  in- 
gratitude will  certainly  be  charged  upon  them. 
Though  we  cannot  render  an  equivalent  or 
the  payment  of  a  debt,  we  must  render  the 
acknowledgment  of  a  favour.  What  shall  I 
render  that  may  be  so  accepted?  Psalm, 
cxvi.  12. — M.  Henry. 

"  Hezekiah  rendered  not  again  according  to  the 
benefit  done  him." 

Lord,  what  is  man!  Who  is  beyond  the 
danger  of  falling  while  he  is  in  this  world  ? 
On  what  can  we  safely  rely  ?  He  that  trusteth 
in  his  own  heart  is  a  fool.  And  he  is  not 
much  better  that  trusts  in  his  own  grace.  It 
is  not  our  grace,  but  His  grace,  that  is  suffi- 
cient for  us.  Let  us,  therefore,  be  strong  in 
the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might. — W. 
Jay. 


14  Job,  i.  22. 

Job,  i.  22. 

In  all  this  Job  sinned  not,  nor  charged  God  foolishly. 

When  God  charges  many  men  home,  then 
they  presently  charge  God  foolishly.  They 
put  him  to  bear  the  brunt  and  blame  of  all; 
but  this  will  be  bitterness  in  the  end.  When 
thou  art  under  affliction,  thou  mayest  humbly 
tell  God  that  thou  feelest  his  hand  heavy;  but 
thou  must  not  blame  him  because  his  hand  is 
heavy.  No  man  hath  ever  been  able  to  make 
good  a  charge  against  God :  and  wilt  thou  be 
able?  Surely,  no.  By  charging  God  foolishly 
in  the  day  of  thy  calamity,  thou  dost  but  pro- 
voke the  Lord  to  charge  thee  through  and 
through,  more  fiercely  and  furiously,  with  his 
most  deadly  darts  of  renewed  misery.  It  is 
thy  greatest  wisdom  to  blame  thy  sins,  and 
lay  thy  hand  upon  thy  mouth;  for  why  should 
folly  charge  innocence?  That  man  is  far 
enough  off  from  being  mute  and  silent  under 
the  hand  of  God,  who  dares  charge  God  him- 
self for  laying  his  hand  upon  him. — Brooks. 

A  soul  impatient  under  affliction,  is  like  the 
devil  in  his  chains,  who  rages  against  God 
while  he  is  fettered  by  him.  The  Spirit  of 
Christ  sweetly  calms  the  soul  of  a  suffering 


Job,  II.  3.  15 

believer,  not  by  taking  away  all  sense  of  pn'm, 
but  by  overcoming  it  with  the  sense  of  his 

love. GuRNALL. 


Job,  ii.  3. 


Hast  thou  considered  my  servant  Job,  that  there  is 
none  like  him  in  the  earth. 

Unparalleled  saint,  who  endured  such  a  suc- 
cession of  tragical  events  with  humility  and 
submission!  The  active  holiness  of  his  pros- 
perous life  is  not  recorded  with  such  a  note  of 
eminency  and  admiration  as  his  patient  suffer- 
ings, for  which  he  is  universally  crowned  with 
the  praises  of  the  saints  in  all  ages.  "  Ye  have 
heard  of  the  patience  of  Job!"  He  is  a  spec- 
tacle that  draws  the  regard  of  all,  more  famous 
for  his  patience  than  his  misery. — Take  away 
from  Job  the  Chaldean  and  Sabean  robbers; 
the  shower  of  fire  that  consumed  his  estate; 
the  whirlwind,  raised  by  infernal  spirits,  that 
destroyed  his  children;  his  diseases,  and  his 
cruel  wife;  then  the  exercises  of  his  insuper- 
able patience,  and  the  honourable  remem- 
brance of  Job  is  lost.  If  the  prince  of  dark- 
ness had  not  tried  all  his  arts  and  strength  to 


16  Job,  ii.  10. 

overcome  him,  and  had  not  been  foiled  in  his 
attempts,  his  graces  had  not  been  so  illus- 
trious.— Dr.  Bates. 

Thus  the  trial  of  Job's  faith  was  found  to 
his  praise  and  honour,  1  Peter,  i.  7.  Constancy- 
crowns  integrity.— M.  Henry. 


Job,  ii.  10. 

What !  shall  we  receive  good  at  the  hand  of  God,  and 
shall  we  not  receive  evil? 

There  is  nothing  that  doth  more  concern 
our  peace  and  comfort  in  this  world,  and,  in- 
deed, nothing  doth  more  constitute  our  happi- 
ness— at  least  that  degree  of  it  which  we  may 
hope  for  in  this  present  state — than  a  mind 
suited  to,  and  comporting  with  the  providence 
of  God  in  all  the  variety  thereof;  that  knows 
not  only  how  to  receive  good,  but  evil,  at  the 
hand  of  the  Lord,  as  he  shall  please  to  dispense 
the  one  or  the  other.  When  this  is  our  tem- 
per, nothing  can  come  amiss  to  us;  we  have 
then  our  feet  shod,  and  armour  on,  and  may 
pass  through  all  the  changes  and  turns  of  Pro- 
vidence unhurt. — Benjamin  Bennet. 

0  believer,  let  not  thy  afflictions  cause  thee 


Job,  v.  6.  17 

to  bury  thy  mercies  in  oblivion.  Has  not 
God  brought  thee  from  Satan's  family,  and 
put  thee  among  his  children;  and  wilt  thou 
forget  or  undervalue  that  honour?  Hath  he 
struck  off  thy  fetters,  taken  off  thy  prison  gar- 
ments, and  set  thee  at  liberty;  and  wilt  thou 
be  unthankful?  Hath  he  given  thee  Christ 
for  thy  treasure  and  portion,  and  entitled  thee 
to  his  unsearchable  riches:  and  wilt  thou  be 
discontented  ?  Hath  he  given  thee  the  graces 
of  his  Spirit,  which  are  more  precious  than 
rubies;  and  wilt  thou  quarrel  when  he  smites 
in  some  earthly  things?  Hath  he  made  thee 
an  heir  of  glory,  and  provided  eternal  man- 
sions above  for  thee;  and  wilt  thou  be  fretful 
for  want  of  some  trifles  here? — Willison. 


Job,  v.  6. 


Affliction  cometh  not  forth  of  the  dust,  neither  doth 
trouble  spring  out  of  the  ground. 

We  must  not  attribute  our  afilictions  to  for- 
tune, for  they  are  from  God;  nor  our  sins  to 
fate,  for  they  are  from  ourselves:  so  that  what- 
ever trouble  we  are  in,  we  must  own  that  God 
sends  it  upon  us,  and  we  procure  it  to  our- 
b2 


18  Job,  v.  6. 

selves.  The  former  is  a  reason  why  we  should 
be  very  patient,  the  latter  why  we  should  be 
very  penitent,  when  we  are  afflicted. — M. 
Henky. 

Not  from  the  dust  affliction  grows, 

Nor  troubles  rise  by  chance; 
Yet  we  are  born  to  care  and  woes, 

A  sad  inheritance. 

As  sparks  break  out  from  burning  coals, 

And  still  are  upwards  borne; 
So  grief  is  rooted  in  our  souls, 

And  man  grows  up  to  mourn. 

Yet  with  my  God  I  leave  my  cause, 

And  trust  his  promis'd  grace ; 
He  rules  me  by  his  well-known  laws 

Of  love  and  righteousness. 

Not  all  the  pains  that  ere  I  bore 

Shall  spoil  my  future  peace, 
For  death  and  hell  can  do  no  more 

Than  what  my  Father  please. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Job,  v.  17.  19 

Job,  v.  17. 

Behold,  happy  is  the  man  whom  God  correcteth ; 
therefore,  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of  the  Al- 
mighty. 

There  is  no  happiness  in  affliction,  naturally- 
considered;  it  is  from  certain  circumstances 
connected  with  afflictions  that  happiness  is 
associated  with  them.  Affliction,  in  itself,  is 
grievous,  and  it  would  be  only  so  to  us,  did 
not  the  overruling,  admirable  dispensations  of 
God,  temper,  order,  dispose,  and  work  it  to  an 
end  above  its  own  nature.  It  is  the  art  and  wis- 
dom of  the  physician  which  corrects  poison- 
ous simples  and  ingredients,  so  as  to  make 
them  medicinal:  and  did  not  the  wisdom  and 
goodness  of  God  correct  our  corrections,  they 
would  not  be  medicine  to  us,  but  poison.  It 
is  not  correction,  but  the  hand  of  God  with  it 
and  in  it  which  makes  us  happy. — Caryl. 

0  Lord  our  God !  rather  than  that  this  sa- 
vour of  the  body  of  death  should  rest  upon  us, 
or  that  we  should  live  without  fear  of  thy 
blessed  name,  and  be  still  knit  to  our  sins; 
empty  us,  0  our  heavenly  Father!  from  ves- 
sel to  vessel;  let  thy  kind  hand  be  upon  us,  to 
awaken  us,  purify  us  with  fire,  smite  us  with 


20  Job,  vii.  3. 

a  rod !  Yet,  at  the  same  time,  remember,  gra- 
cious God,  thy  promise  to  the  Son  of  David — 
*I  will  chasten  him  with  the  rod  of  man:  but 
my  mercy  shall  not  depart  from  him.' — Row- 
land. 


Job,  vii.  3. 

Wearisome  nights  are  appointed  for  me. 

If  wearisome  nights  be  our  portion,  let  us 
remember  they  are  "  appointed"  for  us.  Let 
us  mitigate  the  grievance  of  watchfulness,  by 
considering  it  as  a  sort  of  prolongation  of  life; 
as  the  gift  of  more  minutes  granted  for  medi- 
tation and  prayer.  If  we  are  not  able  to 
employ  it  to  either  of  these  purposes,  there  is 
a  fresh  occasion  for  exercising  that  resigna- 
tion which  will  be  accepted  for  both. — Mrs. 
Hannah  More. 

O  Lord !  my  best  desires  fulfil ; 

And  help  me  lo  resign 
Life,  health,  and  comfort  to  thy  will, 

And  make  thy  pleasure  mine. 

Why  should  I  shrink  at  thy  command, 
Whose  love  forbids  my  fears? 


Job  VII.  17,  18.  21 

Or  tremble  at  thy  gracious  hand 
That  wipes  away  my  tears? 

Thy  favour  all  my  journey  through, 

Thou  art  engaged  to  grant; 
What  else  I  want,  or  think  I  do, 

'Tis  better  still  to  want. 

COWPER. 

♦ 

Job,  vii.  17,  18. 

What  is  man,  that  thou  shouldest  magnify  him  ?  And 
that  thou  shouldest  set  thine  heart  upon  him  ?  And  that 
thou  shouldest  visit  him  every  morning,  and  try  him 
every  moment  ? 

God's  strokes  are  often  the  magnifyings  and 
exaltings  of  man.  He  sets  his  heart  upon 
man,  while  he  inflicts  the  smart  of  his  rod:  he 
shows  thereby  what  a  high  account  he  makes 
of  him,  and  what  a  special  affection  he  bears 
to  him.  When  he  might  treat  us  with  more 
severity  after  the  breach  of  his  covenant,  and 
make  his  jealousy  flame  out  against  us  in 
furious  methods,  he  will  not  destroy  his  rela- 
tion to  us,  and  leave  us  to  our  own  inclinations, 
but  deal  with  us  as  a  father  with  his  children; 
and  when  he  takes  this  course  with  us,  it  is 
when  it  cannot  be  avoided  without  our  ruin. 


22  Job,  vii.  20. 

His  goodness  would  not  suffer  him  to  do  it, 
if  our  badness  did  not  force  him  to  it. — 
Charnock. 

Sanctified    afflictions   are    spiritual  promo- 
tions.— Dyer. 


Job,  vii.  20. 
I  am  a  burden  to  myself. 

This  is  sometimes  the  language  of  the  af- 
flicted. Thus  it  was  the  exclamation  of  Job. 
If  we  cannot  approve  of  the  strength  of  his 
complaint,  we  hardly  know  how  to  condemn 
it.  God  himself  overlooks  it,  and  only  holds 
him  forth  as  an  example  of  patience.  All  suf- 
ferers cannot,  indeed,  say  truly,  as  he  did, 
"My  stroke  is  heavier  than  my  groaning." 
Yet  the  heart's  bitterness  is  known  only  to 
itself.-  We  cannot  determine  the  pressure  of 
another's  mind  under  suffering:  for  the  feel- 
ing of  affliction  may  be  actually  much  greater 
than  we  should  have  supposed  from  the  de- 
gree of  it.  But  afflictions  may  be  great  in 
themselves,  from  their  number,  and  frequency, 
and  suddenness,  and  subject.  Is  this  thy  case  ? 
Yield  not  to  impatience  and  despondency. 
Such  afflictions  have  often  introduced  a  train 


Job,  X.  2.  23 

of  mercies;  and  the  valley  of  Achor  (trouble) 
has  been  a  door  of  hope.  How  many  in 
heaven,  how  many  on  earth,  are  now  thank- 
ing God  for  their  trials!  He  knows  how  to 
deliver.  Say, — ^'Lord,  I  am  oppressed;  un- 
dertake for  me."  "  Cast  thy  burden  upon  the 
Lord,  and  he  shall  sustain  thee." — Jay. 

Lord,  I  am  pained ;  but  I  resign 

My  body  to  thy  will ; 
'Tis  grace,  'tis  wisdom  all  divine, 

Appoints  the  pains  I  feel. 

Dark  are  thy  ways  of  providence, 
While  they  who  love  thee  groan ; 

Thy  reasons  lie  conceal'd  from  sense. 
Mysterious  and  unknown. 

Yet  nature  may  have  leave  to  speak, 

And  plead  before  her  God, 
Lest  the  o'erburdened  heart  should  break 

Beneath  thine  heavy  rod. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Job,  X.  2. 

Show  me  wherefore  thou  contendest  with  me. 

Discover  to  me  whether  it  be  for  sin  or  no, 
or  whether  to  exercise  some  grace ;  whether 


24  Job,  xiii.  15. 

to  discover  me  to  myself,  or  to  manifest  thy- 
self to  me  in  a  way  of  sovereignty  and  ma- 
jesty; to  teach  me  to  be  humble,  to  learn  the 
lesson  thou  wouldest  teach  me.  If  we  pray 
that  God  would  discover  to  us  the  reason  of 
our  afflictions,  we  ought  to  lay  our  souls  open 
and  search  them,  and  see  where  the  light  of 
the  Spirit  of  God  directs  us  to  discover  sin. 
If  we  have  any  guilt  that  is  manifest  to  our 
consciences  by  his  providence  under  afflic- 
tions, let  us  endeavour  to  pursue  this  disco- 
very, and  see  whether  it  be  not  the  true  rea- 
son of  God's  contention;  for  it  is  by  such  me- 
thods as  this  that  God's  Spirit  often  reveals 
sin  to  us. — Dr.  Watts. 


Job,  xiii.  15. 

Though  he  slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust  in  him. 

To  believe  mercy  in  the  midst  of  mercy, 
is  no  great  matter;  but  to  believe  mercy  in 
the  midst  of  wrath,  is  a  great  matter,  and 
argues  strong  faith.  A  time  of  contradiction 
is  a  time  for  faith.  To  believe  the  promise 
when  Providence  seems  to  contradict  the  pro- 
mise in  appearance,  this  is  like  Abraham,  to 


Job,  XIV.  1.  25 


be  strong  in  faith,  giving  glory  to  God.  Un- 
der a  sense  of  guilt  to  believe  pardon;  under  a 
sense  and  feeling  of  wrath  to  believe  mercy, 
and  plead  that  God  would  remember  mercy, 
is  the  very  season  for  faith  to  act;  and  then 
God  gets  the  glory  of  his  mercy,  and  we  the 
good  of  it. — Ralph  Erskine. 

Never  was  there  a  man  of  deep  piety  who 
has  not  been  brought  into  extremities,  who 
has  not  been  put  into  the  fire,  who  has  not 
been  taught  to  say,  "Though  He  slay  me,  yet 
will  I  trust  in  him!" — Cecil. 


Job,  xiv.  1. 


Man  that  is  born  of  a  woman  is  of  few  days,  and  full 
of  trouble. 

It  is  well  they  are  so  few,  since  so  evil :  as 
our  relations  and  comforts  are  multiplied,  so 
are  the  occasions  of  our  sorrow.  God  never 
intended  the  world  to  be  a  place  of  our  rest, 
but  our  exercise:  it  is  a  middle  place  between 
heaven  and  hell,  and  hath  somewhat  of  either. 
In  our  passage  to  the  other  world  we  must 
look  for  trouble,  it  is  that  we  are  born  to. 
Many  are  born  to  great  honour  and  estate, 
c 


26  Job,  xxiii.  10. 

but  they  have  another  portion  goeth  along 
with  it — they  are  born  to  trouble:  ever  since 
sin  entered  into  the  world,  punishment  enter- 
ed with  it.  In  heaven,  full  of  days,  full  of 
comforts;  but  here  it  is  otherwise — few  days 
and  full  of  trouble. — Dr.  Manton. 

Aftliction  then  is  ours ; 
We  are  the  trees,  whom  shaking  fastens  more. 
While  blustering  winds  destroy  the  wanton  bowers, 
And  ruffle  all  their  curious  knots  and  store. 
My  God,  so  temper  joy  and  wo, 
That  thy  bright  beams  may  tame  thy  bow. 

Herbert. 


Job,  xxiii.  10. 

But  He  knoweth  the  way  that  I  take;  when  he  hath 
tried  me,  I  shall  come  forth  as  gold. 

He  who  before  was  reputed  but  as  dross, 
and  had  much  dross  in  him,  comes  out  of  the 
trial  as  gold,  and  loseth  nothing  of  his  weight, 
worth,  or  beauty,  by  being  tried;  he  only 
loseth — a  good  loss — his  dross,  and  the  rub- 
bish of  his  corruptions.  Grace  is  not  only 
grace  still,  but  more  gracious,  even  glorious 
after  trial.     Afflictions  are  to  us  as  we  are; 


Job,  XXXIV.  23.  27 

those  that  go  gold  into  the  furnace,  will  come 
out  no  worse. — Caryl. — M.  Henry. 

There  can  be  no  gold  or  silver  finely  wrought 
without  being  first  purified  with  fire  ;  no  ele- 
gant houses  built  of  stones,  till  the  hammers 
have  squared  and  smoothed  them.  So  we 
can  neither  become  vessels  of  honour  in  the 
house  of  our  Father,  till  we  are  melted  in  the 
furnace  of  affliction;  nor  lively  stones  in  the 
walls  of  the  New  Jerusalem,  till  the  hand  of 
the  Lord  hath  beaten  off  our  proud  excres- 
cences and  empty  tumours  with  his  own  ham- 
mers.— Rowland. 


Job,  xxxiv.  23. 

For  He  will  not  lay  upon  man  more  than  right;  that 
he  should  enter  into  judgment  with  God. 

That  is,  the  party  afflicted  hath  no  just  com- 
plaint against  God,  can  take  no  exception 
against  God's  proceedings,  for  he  perfectly 
understands  our  need,  and  understands  our 
strength.  God  perfectly  understands  our  need: 
"  If  need  be,  ye  are  in  heaviness  through 
manifold  temptations,"  1  Pet.  i.  6 ;  and  under- 
stands our  strength:   Faithful  is  He,  "who 


28  Job,  xxxiv.  31. 

will  not  suffer  you  to  be  tempted  above  that 
ye  are  able/'  1  Cor.  x.  13.  Many  parents  do 
not  correct  their  children  in  measure,  being 
ignorant  of  their  nature  and  disposition.  Many 
physicians  mistake  their  patients'  constitu- 
tions, therefore  the  physic  may  work  too 
strongly  and  too  violently  for  them;  but  God 
understands  our  need,  and  our  strength,  and 
so  suits  all  his  remedies  accordingly. — Dr. 
Manton. 

Thy  ways,  O  Lord,  with  wise  design, 
Are  framed  upon  thy  throne  above  ; 
And  every  dark  or  bending  line, 
Meets  in  the  centre  of  thy  love. 

With  feeble  light,  and  half  obscure, 
Poor  mortals  thy  arrangements  view. 
Not  knowing  that  the  least  are  sure. 
The  most  mysterious,  just  and  true. 

Christian  Psalmist. 


Job,  xxxiv.  31. 

Surely  it  is  meet  to  be  said  unto  God,  I  have  borne 
chastisement,  1  will  not  offend  any  more. 

The  speaking  this  unto  God  under  affliction, 
signifies  that  our  affliction  is  from  his  hand. 


Job,  XXXIV.  31.  29 

Though  trouble  be  the  general  lot  of  mankind, 
yet  it  dolli  not  come  by  an  improvidential  fa- 
tality. Though  man  is  born  to  trouble,  as  the 
sparks  fly  upward,  yet  it  comes  not  out  of  the 
dust.  It  is  no  less  true,  and  in  itself  no  less 
clear,  that  all  the  good  we  enjoy,  and  all  the 
evil  we  suffer,  comes  from  the  same  hand;  but 
we  are  naturally  more  sensible  of  evil  than  of 
good,  and  therefore  do  more  readily  reflect 
upon  the  original  and  cause  of  it.  Our  dis- 
tresses lead  us  unto  the  notice  of  the  righteous 
God  inflicting  them,  and  our  own  unrighteous 
ways  procuring  them,  and  provoking  him  so 
to  do;  and  therefore  it  is  meet  to  speak  in 
this  submissive,  humble  language  to  him.  It 
is  by  all  means  necessary  to  speak  to  him;  he 
is  the  party,  we  have  to  do  with,  or  speak 
to,  even  in  those  afflictions  whereof  men  are 
the  visible  causes;  they  are,  indeed,  but  instru- 
mental causes;  the  rod  and  staff  is  in  his  hand 
that  smite  us,  therefore  our  business  is  with 
him,  in  whose  supreme  hand  alone  is  the  miti- 
gation and  increase,  the  continuance  and  the 
ending  of  our  trouble.  Who  gave  Jacob  to 
the  spoil,  and  Israel  to  the  robbers?  Did  not 
the  Lord,  against  whom  we  have  sinned? 
The  yoke  of  my  transgressions  is  bound  on  by 
c  2 


30  Job,  xxxiv.  33. 

his  hand,  therefore  it  is  ahogether  necessary, 
in  all  afflictions,  to  speak  to  him;  and,  as  it  is 
necessary  to  speak  to  him,  it  is  meet  to  speak 
thus  to  him:  "I  have  borne  chastisement,  I 
will  no  more  offend."  These  words  have  in 
them  the  true  composition  of  real  repentance, 
humble  submission,  and  holy  resolution: — "I 
have  borne  chastisement,"  that  is,  I  have 
justly  borne  it,  and  do  heartily  submit  to  it;  I 
bear  it  justly,  and  take  it  well:  Lord,  I  acquit 
thee,  and  accuse  myself! — 

This  is  a  kind  of  language  that  makes  the 
rod  fall  out  of  God's  hand.  That  prayer  as- 
cends highest  that  comes  from  the  lowest 
depth  of  an  humbled  heart.  But  God  resists 
the  proud.  He  proclaims  himself  an  enemy 
to  pride  and  stiffness  of  spirit,  but  his  grace 
seeks  the  humble  heart,  as  water  does  the  low 
ground. — Leighton. 


Job,  xxxiv.  33. 

Should  it  be  according  to  thy  mind  ? 

Must  we  always  have  the  good  we  have  a 

mind  to  enjoy?     We  should  then  wrongfully 

encroach  upon  others,  and  foolishly  ensnare 

ourselves.    Must  we  never  be  afflicted,  because 


Job,  XXXV.  10.  31 

we  have  no  mind  to  it?  Is  it  fit  that  sinners 
should  feel  no  smart,  that  scholars  should  be 
under  no  discipline?  Or,  if  we  must  be  afflict- 
ed, is  it  fit  we  should  choose  what  rod  we  will 
be  beaten  with?  No;  it  is  fit  every  thing 
should  be  according  to  God's  mind,  and  not 
ours,  for  he  is  the  Creator,  and  we  are  crea- 
tures; he  is  infinitely  wise  and  knowing,  we 
are  foolish  and  short-sighted;  he  is  in  one 
mind,  we  are  in  many. — M.  Henry. 

Since  all  the  downward  tracks  of  time 

God's  watchful  eye  surveys, 
Oh !  who  so  wise  to  choose  our  lot, 

And  regulate  our  ways. 

Good  when  he  gives,  supremely  good, 

Nor  less  when  he  denies; 

E'en  crosses  from  his  sovereign  hand. 

Are  blessings  in  disguise. 

Hervey. 


Job,  xxxv.  10. 

But  none  saith,  Where  is  God  my  Maker,  who  giveth 
songs  in  the  night  ? 

What   sweet   songs    have   suffering    saints 
found  in  the  darkest  nights  of  their  affliction! 


32  Psalm  vi.  1. 

What  inward  peace  in  outward  troubles! 
What  soul  freedom  in  bodily  restraint!  What 
is  a  song  in  the  night?  It  is  joy  in  time  of 
trouble.  Whenever  God  gives  a  soul  joy  in 
time  of  trouble,  he  gives  a  song  in  the  night. — 
Caryl. 

When  our  condition  is  ever  so  dark,  and 
sad,  and  melancholy,  there  is  that  in  God — in 
his  providence,  and  promise — which  is  suffi- 
cient not  only  to  support  us,  but  to  fill  us  with 
joy  and  consolation,  and  enable  us  in  every 
thing  to  give  thanks,  and  even  to  rejoice  in 
tribulation.  When  we  only  pore  upon  the 
afflictions  we  are  under,  and  neglect  the  con- 
solations of  God  which  are  treasured  up  for 
us,  it  is  just  with  God  to  reject  our  prayers. — 
M.  Henry. 


Psalm  vi.  1. 

O  Lord,  rebuke  me  not  in  thine  anger,  neither  chasten 
me  in  thy  hot  displeasure. 

These  words  speak  the  language  of  a  heart 
truly  humbled  under  humbling  providences, 
of  a  broken  and  contrite  spirit  under  great 
afflictions,  sent   on  purpose  to  awaken  con- 


Psalm  vi.  2.  33 

science  and  mortify  corruption.  Those  heap 
up  wrath  who  cry  not  when  God  binds  them; 
but  those  are  getting  ready  for  mercy,  who, 
under  God's  rebukes,  sow  in  tears. — M. 
Henry. 

Lo,  thou  hast  troubled  my  repose, 

Thy  chastisements  I  feel; 
Thine  hand  hath  touched  my  heart — it  glows^- 

It  melts — impress  thy  seal. 

Montgomery. 


Psalm  vi.  2. 


Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  Lord,  for  I  am  weak:  O 
Lord,  heal  me,  for  my  bones  are  vexed. 

Though  David  was  a  king,  yet  he  was  sick 
and  pained:  his  imperial  crown  would  not 
keep  his  head  from  aching.  Great  men  are 
men,  and  subject  to  the  calamities  of  human 
life.  Though  David  was  a  stout  man,  a  man 
of  war  from  his  youth,  yet  that  will  not  se- 
cure him  from  distempers,  which  will  soon 
make  even  the  strong  men  bow  themselves. 
Though  David  was  a  good  man,  yet  neither 
will  his  goodness  keep  him  in  health:  "  Lord, 
behold  he  whom  thou  lovest  is  sick."      Let 


34  Psalm  vi.  5. 

this  help  to  reconcile  us  to  pain  and  sickness, 
that  it  has  been  the  lot  of  some  of  the  best 
saints,  and  that  we  are  directed  and  encou- 
raged by  their  example,  to  show  before  God 
our  trouble  in  that  case,  who  is  for  the  body, 
and  takes  cognizance  of  its  ailments. — M. 
Henry. 

Should  pain  o'er  my  weak  flesh  prevail, 
And  fevers  boil  within  my  breast, 
And  heart,  and  strength,  and  reason  fail, 
Be  yet,  my  soul,  on  Jesus  cast. 

In  every  trial  let  me  be 
Supplied  with  all-sufficient  grace. 
My  spirit  calmly  stay'd  on  thee. 
And  sweetly  kept  in  perfect  peace. 

Berridge. 


Psalm  vi.  5. 

For  in  death  there  is  no  remembrance  of  thee;  in  the 
grave  who  shall  give  thee  thanks? 

Lord,  if  thou  deliver  me,  and  comfort  me, 
I  will  not  only  give  thee  thanks  for  my  de- 
liverance, and  stir  up  others  to  join  with  me 
in  these  thanksgivings,  but  I  will  spend  the 
new  life  thou  shalt  entrust  me  with  in  thy 
service,  to  thy  glory;  and  all  the  remainder 


Psalm  ix.  10.  35 

of  my  days  preserve  a  grateful  remembrance 
of  thy  favours  to  me,  and  be  quickened  there- 
by in  all  instances  of  service  to  thee. — M. 
Henry. 

Look,  how  the  powers  of  nature  mourn, 
How  long,  Almighty  God,  how  long? 
When  shall  thine  hour  of  grace  return? 
When  shall  I  make  thy  grace  my  song? 

I  feel  my  flesh  so  near  the  grave, 
My  thoughts  are  tempted  to  despair; 
But  graves  can  never  praise  the  Lord, 
For  all  is  dust  and  silence  there. 

Depart,  ye  tempters,  from  my  soul. 
And  all  despairing  thoughts  depart; 
My  God,  who  hears  my  humble  moan. 
Will  ease  my  flesh,  and  cheer  my  heart. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Psalm  ix.  10. 

And  they  that  know  thy  name  will  put  their  trust  in 
thee:  for  thou,  Lord,  hast  not  forsaken  them  that  seek 
thee. 

Therefore,  they  who  "  knov^^  God's  name," 
that  is,  w^ho  are  acquainted  with,  and  have 
experienced  his  merciful  nature  and  disposi- 


36  Psalm  xvi.  4. 

tion  expressed  in  that  name,  will  take  no  un- 
lawful methods  to  escape  affliction,  nor  "put 
their  trust"  in  any  but "  him"  for  deliverance; 
since  it  is  a  most  undoubted  truth — and  oh, 
what  a  comfortable  truth — that  "  thou,  Lord 
Jesus,  hast  not  forsaken,"  nor  ever  wilt  finally 
"forsake  them  that"  sincerely  and  diligently, 
with  their  whole  heart,  "  seek"  to  "  thee"  for 
help;  as  a  child,  upon  apprehension  of  danger, 
flies  to  the  arms  of  its  tender  and  indulgent 
parent. — Bp.  Horne. 

God  never  did,  and  never  will,  disown  or 
desert  any  that  seek  to  him  and  trust  in  him. 
Though  he  afflict  them,  he  doth  not  leave 
them  comfortless:  though  he  seem  to  forsake 
them  for  a  while,  yet  he  will  gather  them 
with  everlasting  mercies. — M.  Henry. 


Psalm  xvi.  4. 

Their  sorrows  shall  be  multiplied  that  hasten  after 
another  god. 

This  all  ungodly  men  do  when  they  are 
afflicted:  they  run  to  other  imaginary  helps 
of  their  own,  and  they  prove  but  the  multi- 
pliers of  sorrows,  and  add  to  their  torment. 


Psalm  xxiii.  4.  37 

They  are  miserable  or  troublesome  comfort- 
ers; like  unskilful  physicians,  that  add  to  the 
patient's  pain  by  nauseous,  ill-chosen,  and,  it 
may  be,  pernicious  drugs. — Abp.  Leighton. 

This  God  is  the  God  we  adore, 
Our  faithful,  unchangeable  Friend, 
Whose  love  is  as  large  as  his  power. 
And  neither  knows  measure  nor  end : 

'Tis  Jesus,  the  first  and  the  last. 
Whose  Spirit  shall  guide  me  safe  home; 
ril  praise  him  for  all  that  is  past. 
And  trust  him  for  all  that's  to  come. 

Hart. 


Psalm  xxiii.  4. 

Thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me. 

Not  only  the  supporting  staflf,  but  the  cor- 
recting rod  shall  comfort,  if  God  command  it 
to  be  a  comforter.  Who  would  not  maintain 
communion  with  this  God,  who  can  make  a 
comfort  of  any  thing,  who  can  answer  every 
cross  with  a  comfort?  If  we  have  a  thousand 
crosses,  God  hath  ten  thousand  comforts:  he 
can  multiply  comforts  faster  than  the  world 
can  multiply  crosses. — Caryl. 

D 


38  Psalm  xxv.  18. 

Though  Heaven  afflicts,  I'll  not  repine, 
Each  heart-felt  comfort  still  is  mine; 
Comforts  that  shall  o'er  death  prevail, 
And  journey  with  me  through  the  vale. 

Dear  Jesus,  smooth  that  rugged  way, 
And  lead  me  to  the  realms  of  day, 
To  milder  skies  and  lighter  plains. 
Where  everlasting  sunshine  reigns. 

Cotton. 


Psalm  xxv.  18. 

Look  upon  mine  affliction  and  my  pain,  and  forgive  all 
my  sins. 

When  at  any  time  we  are  in  trouble,  we 
should  be  more  concerned  about  our  sins,  to 
get  them  pardoned,  than  about  our  afflictions, 
to  get  them  removed. — M.  Henry. 

O  Thou,  from  whom  all  goodness  flows, 

I  hft  ray  heart  to  thee; 
In  all  my  sorrows,  conflicts,  woes. 

Dear  Lord,  remember  me! 

When,  groaning,  on  my  burden'd  heart 

My  sins  lie  heavily. 
My  pardon  speak,  new  peace  impart, 

In  love,  remember  me! 


Psalm  xxx.  2.  39 

Temptations  sore  obstruct  my  way, 

And  ills  I  cannot  flee ; 
Oh  !  give  me  strength,  Lord,  as  my  day, 

For  good  remember  me ! 

Distrest  with  pain,  disease,  and  grief, 

This  feeble  body  see, 
Grant  patience,  rest,  and  kind  relief; 

Hear,  and  remember  me. 

Dr.  Hawkis. 


Psalm  xxx.  2. 

O  Lord  ray  God,  I  cried  unto  thee,  and  thou  hast 
healed  me. 

In  every  age  Jehovah  has  been  known  as 
the  Healer  of  his  people;  and,  both  in  mental 
and  bodily  maladies,  they  have  sought  and 
found  his  aid.  What  an  advantage  would  it 
be  to  human  beings,  were  they  as  sensitively 
conscious  of  the  diseases  of  the  soul,  as  they 
are  of  the  afflictions  of  the  perishable  body! 
Then  how  precious  would  be  the  name  of 
Him,  who  is  emphatically  the  Physician  of 
souls.  How  blessed  is  he  who  can  appeal  to 
Jehovah,  as  his  God,  and  say,  from  the  deeply 
cherished  experience  of  his  heart, — "Thou 
hast  healed  me.^^ — Dr.  Morison. 


40  Psalm  xxx.  5. 

Amidst  these  various  scenes  of  ills, 
Each  stroke  some  kind  design  fulfils ; 
And,  shall  I  muniiur  at  my  God, 
When  sovereign  love  directs  the  rod  ? 

Peace,  rebel  thoughts  ! — I'll  not  complain  ; 
My  Father's  smiles  suspend  my  pain  ; 
Smiles,  that  a  thousand  joys  impart, 
And  pour  the  balm  that  heals  the  smart. 

Cotton. 


Psalm  xxx.  5. 

Weeping  may  endure  for  a  night,  but  joy  cometh  in 
the  morning. 

Many  a  good  man  hath  carried  his  afflic- 
tions with  him  to  the  grave.  It  is  most  true, 
also,  that  our  w^eeping  is  but  for  a  night,  yea, 
but  for  a  moment,  as  the  apostle  speaks,  2 
Cor.  iv.  17,  compared  with  that  morning  of 
joy  when  the  day  of  our  blessed  eternity  shall 
begin.  The  psalm  hath  this  scope,  chiefly  to 
show  the  troubles  of  the  saints  are  not  ever- 
lasting, not  that  they  are  never  lasting;  or,  to 
show  that  the  night  of  weeping  shall  at  last 
conclude  in  a  morning  of  joy  to  the  godly, 
not  that  their  night  of  weeping  shall  presently 
conclude.       For,  as  some  have  only  a  sum- 


Psalm  xxxi.  15.  41 

mer's  night,  or  a  short  night  of  sorrow,  so 
others  have  a  winter's  night,  or  a  long  night 
of  sorrow.  And  this  night  of  sorrow  may 
be  as  long,  not  only  as  many  natural  days,  or 
as  some  years,  but  as  long  as  all  the  natural 
days  and  years  of  this  present  life.  The 
morning  of  joy  is  not  to  be  understood  of  the 
next  morrow  after  the  sorrow  began ;  for  how 
long  soever  our  weeping  continues,  it  is  night 
with  us,  and  whensoever  joy  comes,  though 
at  midnight,  it  is  morning  with  us. — Caryl. 

Oft  have  I  sat  in  secret  sighs 

To  feel  my  flesh  decay, 
Then  groan'd  aloud,  with  frighted  eyes. 

To  view  the  tott'ring  clay. 

But  I  forbid  my  sorrows  now. 

Nor  dares  the  flesh  complain ; 
Diseases  bring  their  profit  too ; 

The  joy  o'ercomes  the  pain. 

Dr.  Watts'  Lyrics. 


Psalm  xxxi.  15. 

My  times  are  in  thy  hand. 

If  they  were  in  the  enemies'   hands,  we 
should  never  be  out  of  trouble;  if  in  our  own, 
D  2 


42  Psalm  xxxi.  15. 

we  should  never  be  in;  if  in  our  friends,  their 
good  will  would  be  more  than  their  ability: 
but  my  times  are  in  Thy  hands;  my  times  of 
trouble,  and  times  of  waiting.  And  it  is  well 
that  they  are  in  God's  hands,  for  he  hath  a 
day,  and  a  certain  day,  and  a  fit  day,  to  an- 
swer the  waiting  of  all  his  people;  and  when 
that  day  is  come,  you  see  how  their  hearts  are 
enlarged,  they  will  say,  "  This  is  the  Lord, 
we  have  waited  for  him." — Sibbs. 

My  times  of  sorrow  and  of  joy, 
Great  God,  are  in  thy  hand ; 
My  choicest  comforts  come  from  thee, 
And  go  at  thy  command. 

If  thou  should'st  take  them  all  away, 
Yet  would  not  I  repine ; 
Before  they  were  possessed  by  me, 
They  were  entirely  thine. 

Nor  would  I  drop  a  murmuring  word, 
Though  the  whole  world  were  gone, 
But  seek  enduring  happiness 
In  thee,  and  thee  alone. 

Beddome. 


Psalm  xxxii.  4.  4H 

Psalm  xxxii.  4. 

For  day  and  night  thine  hand  was  heavy  upon  me. 

That  hand,  which,  when  pressing,  was  so 
heavy — When  raising,  is  so  sweet  and  power- 
ful. Psalm  xxxvii.  24;  and,  when  scattering 
its  blessings,  so  full  and  so  ample,  Psalm  civ. 
28;  cxlv.  16.  The  psalmist  would  not  at  first 
be  humbled  by  the  confession  of  his  iniquity, 
ver.  3;  and  therefore  he  is  humbled  by  the 
weight  of  the  hand  of  God.  Oh,  powerful 
hand!  beyond  all  comparison  more  grievous 
than  any  other  hand  to  press  down,  and  more 
powerful  to  raise  up. — Abp.  Leighton. 

He  holds  all  nature  in  his  hand — 
That  gracious  hand,  on  which  I  live, 
Doth  life,  and  time,  and  death  command, 
And  has  immortal  joys  to  give. 

'Tis  He  supports  this  fainting  frame ; 

On  him  alone  my  hopes  recline ; 

The  wond'rous  glories  of  his  name, 

How  wide  they  spread !  how  bright  they  shine ! 

Infinite  wisdom !  boundless  power ! 

Unchanging  faithfulness  and  love ! 

Here  let  me  trust  while  I  adore, 

Nor  from  my  refuge  e'er  remove. 

Steele. 


44  Psalm  xxxiv.  17. — xxxiv.  19. 


Psalm  xxxiv.  17. 

The  righteous  cry,  and  the  Lord  heareth,  and  deliver- 
eth  them  out  of  all  their  troubles. 

This  text  intimates  that  it  is  the  constant 
practice  of  good  people,  when  they  are  in  dis- 
tress, to  cry  unto  God;  and  it  is  their  constant 
comfort,  that  God  hears  them.     M.  Henry. 

Jehovah  speaks  the  healing  word, 

And  no  disease  withstands  ; 
Fevers  and  plagues  obey  the  Lord, 

And  fly  at  his  commands. 

If  half  the  strings  of  life  should  break, 

He  can  our  frame  restore  ; 
He  casts  our  sins  behind  his  back, 

And  they  are  found  no  more. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Psalm  xxxiv.  19. 

Many  are  the  afflictions  of  the  righteous  :  but  the  Lord 
delivereth  him  out  of  them  all. 

It  is  God's  prerogative  to  set  us  free.  We 
break  prison  when  we  attempt  to  escape  merely 
by  our  own  means;  therefore,  either  we  shall 
have  no  deliverance,  or  no  kindly  one.     God 


Psalm  xxxviii.  1.  45 

hath  delivered,  doth  deliver,  and  we  trust 
will  deliver.  This  must  be  sought  out  of 
God ;  God  helping  together  with  your  prayers, 
2  Cor.  i.  10,  11.  Prayer  must  fetch  it  out 
from  God,  or  it  is  no  kindly  deliverance. 
Well,  then,  in  our  affliction  we  need  to  be 
often  with  God. — Dr.  Manton. 

I  love  the  Lord ;  he  heard  my  cries, 

And  pitied  every  groan : 
Long  as  I  live>  when  troubles  rise, 

I'll  hasten  to  his  throne. 

I  love  the  Lord ;  he  bow'd  his  ear. 

And  chas'd  my  grief  away ; 
O  let  my  heart  no  more  despair. 
While  I  have  breath  to  pray  ! 

Dr.  Watts. 
♦ 

Psalm  xxxviii.  1. 

Title. — A  psalm  of  David,  to  bring  to  remembrance. 
O  Lord,  rebuke  me  not  in  thy  wrath ;  neither  chasten 
me  in  thy  hot  displeasure. 

We  will  suppose  this  psalm  penned  when 
David  was  sick  and  in  pain,  and  then  it  teach- 
eth  us  that  times  of  sickness  are  times  to  bring 
to  remembrance;  to  bring  the  sin  to  remem- 
brance for  which  God  contended  with  us;  to 


46  PSAL3I  XXXVIII. 

awaken  our  conscience  to  deal  faithfully  and 
plainly  with  us,  and  set  our  sins  in  order  be- 
fore us  for  our  humiliation.  "  In  the  day  of 
adversity,  consider."  Or,  we  may  suppose  it 
penned  after  his  recovery,  but  designed  as  a 
record  of  the  convictions  he  was  under,  and 
the  workings  of  his  heart  when  he  was  in  af- 
fliction, that,  upon  every  review  of  this  psalm, 
he  might  call  to  mind  the  good  impressions 
then  made  upon  him,  and  make  a  fresh  im- 
provement of  them.  To  the  same  purpose 
was  the  writing  of  Hezekiah,  when  he  had 
been  sick.  To  put  others  in  mind  of  the  same 
things  which  he  was  himself  mindful  of,  and 
to  teach  them  what  to  think,  and  what  to  say; 
when  they  are  sick  and  in  affliction,  let  them 
think  as  he  did,  and  speak  as  he  did.  He  de- 
precates the  wrath  of  God  in  his  affliction. 
Those  that  would  escape  the  wrath  of  God, 
must  pray  against  that  more  than  any  outward 
affliction,  and  be  content  to  bear  any  outward 
affliction  while  it  comes  from,  and  consists 
with  the  law  of  God. — M.  Henry. 

Sickness  is  a  dismal  scourge  to  the  ungodly, 
and  a  painful  spur  to  the  gracious.  To  the 
one  it  is  the  harbinger  of  terror  and  misery; 
but,  to  the  other,  a  solemn  remembrancer  in- 


Psalm  xxxviii.  6 — 8.  47 

deed,  both  of  the  vanity  of  all  earthly  things, 
and  of  the  nearer  and  nearer  approach  of  im- 
mortal glory. — Serle. 


Psalm  xxxviii.  6 — 8. 
I  am  troubled  :  I  am  bowed  down  greatly  ;  I  go  mourn- 
ing all  the  day  long.  For  my  loins  are  filled  with  a 
loathsome  disease  :  [or  a  scorching  or  burning,  that  is,  a 
fever :]  and  there  is  no  soundness  in  my  flesh.  I  am 
feeble  and  sore  broken :  I  have  roared  by  reason  of  the 
disquietness  of  my  heart. 

If  such  be  the  effects  of  sin  in  this  life,  and 
upon  those  who  are  still  the  favourites  of  Hea- 
ven, what  will  be  its  effects  in  the  life  to  come, 
and  upon  those  who  are  left  to  wither  forever 
beneath  the  Divine  frown?  Oh,  let  us  learn, 
ere  it  be  too  late,  that  sin  is  an  evil  and  bitter 
thing. — Dr.  Morison. 

Return,  O  Holy  Dove,  return, 

Sweet  Messenger  of  rest ! 
I  hate  the  sins  that  made  thee  mourn, 

And  drove  thee  from  my  breast. 

COWPER. 


48  Psalm  xxxix.  4. — xxxix.  7. 

Psalm  xxxix.  4. 

Lord,  make  me  to  know  mine  end,  and  the  measure  of 
my  days,  what  it  is ;  that  I  may  know  how  frail  1  am. 

Lord,  give  me  to  consider  how  frail  I  am; 
how  scanty  the  stock  of  life  is;  and  how  faint 
the  spirits,  which  are  as  the  oil  to  keep  the 
lamp  burning.  We  find,  by  daily  experience, 
that  the  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  is 
mouldering,  and  going  to  decay.  Lord,  make 
us  to  consider  this,  that  we  may  secure  man- 
sions in  the  house  not  made  with  hands. — M. 
Henry. 

Almighty  Maker  of  my  frame, 
Teach  me  the  measure  of  my  days! 
Teach  me  to  know  how  frail  I  am, 
And  spend  the  remnant  to  thy  praise." 

Mrs.  Steele. 


Psalm  xxxix.  7. 

And  now,  Lord,  what  wait  I  for  ?  my  hope  is  in  thee. 

Hope  is  the  great  stock  of  believers;  it  is 
that  which  upholds  them  under  all  the  faint- 
ings  and  sorrows  of  their  mind  in  this  life, 
and  in  their  going  "  through  the  valley  of  the 


Psalm  xxxix.  7.  49 

shadow  of  death."  It  is  the  "  helmet  of  their 
salvation,"  which,  while  they  are  looking  over 
to  eternity,  beyond  this  present  time,  covers 
and  keeps  their  head  safe  amidst  all  the  darts 
that  fly  round  about  them.  In  the  present 
discomfort  and  darkness  of  mind,  and  the  sad- 
dest hours  they  meet  with  in  this  life,  hope  is 
that  which  keeps  up  the  soul,  and  is  that 
which  David  cheered  up  his  soul  with:  "Why 
art  thou  cast  down,  0  my  soul  ?  and  why  art 
thou  disquieted  in  me?  Hope  thou  in  God: 
for  I  shall  yet  praise  him  for  the  help  of  his 
countenance,"  Psalm  xlii.  5.  And,  even  in 
this  point,  the  "  children  of  the  world"  have 
no  great  advantage  of  "the  children  of  God," 
as  to  the  things  of  this  life;  for  much  of  their 
satisfaction,  «uch  as  it  is,  does  hang,  for  the 
most  part,  on  their  hope;  the  happiest  and 
richest  of  them  still  piece  it  out  with  some 
further  expectation:  something  they  look  for 
beyond  what  they  have,  and  the  expectation 
of  that  pleases  them  more  than  all  their  pre- 
sent possessions.  But  this  great  disadvantage 
they  have — all  their  hopes  are  but  heaps  of 
delusions  and  lies;  and  either  they  die,  and 
obtain  them  not,  or  if  they  obtain  them,  yet 
they  obtain  them  not,  they  are  so  far  short  of 

E 


50  Psalm  xxxix.'O. 

what  they  fancied  and  imagined  of  them  be- 
forehand. But  the  hope  of  the  children  of 
God,  as  it  is,  without  fail,  sure,  so  it  is  incon- 
ceivably full  and  satisfying,  far  beyond  what 
the  largest  apprehension  of  any  man  is  able  to 
reach.  "Hope  in  God:"  what  is  wanting 
there? — Abp.  Leighton. 

Oh!  what  would  adversity  be  without  hope? 
This  is  the  last  lingering  light  of  the  human 
bosom,  that  continues  to  shine  when  every 
other  has  been  extinguished.  Quench  it,  and 
the  gloom  of  affliction  becomes  the  very  black- 
ness of  darkness — cheerless  and  impenetrable. 
Dr.  Wardlaw. 

Christ  is  my  life,  my  joy,  my  hope, 
Nor  can  I  sink  with  such  a  prop. 

Dr  Watts. 


Psalm  xxxix.  9. 

I  was  dumb,  I  opened  not  my  mouth  3  because  thou 
didst  it. 

Such  an  awful  apprehension  David  had  of 
God,  as  transcendently  superior  to  him,  and 
not  accountable  for  his  proceedings.  When 
any  impatient  thoughts  arise,  we  should  pre- 
sently chain  them  up,  for  there  is  folly  and 


Psalm  xxxix.  9.  51 

fury  in  them.  What  am  I,  that  my  sullen 
spirit  should  dispute  against  the  orders  of 
Heaven  ?  that  my  passions  should  resist  the 
will  of  the  highest  Lord?  that  my  desires 
should  depose  him  from  his  throne?  For 
thus  by  implication  and  consequence  they  do, 
who  are  vexed  at  his  providence.  A  holy 
soul  will  tremble  at  the  thoughts  of  it.  Me- 
thinks  God  speaks  to  the  afflicted  and  dis- 
turbed soul,  in  the  words  of  the  psalm — "  Be 
still,  and  know  that  I  am  God.'^  The  actual 
consideration  of  his  supremacy  will  be  power- 
ful to  lay  the  growing  storm  of  the  passions. 
Impatience  ariseth  from  the  ignorance  of  God 
and  ourselves. 

Christian  resignation  is  very  different  from 
that  stoical  stubbornness,  which  is  most  easily 
practised  by  those  unamiable  characters,  whose 
regard  centres  wholly  in  self:  nor  could  we, 
in  a  proper  manner,  exercise  submission  to 
the  will  of  God  under  trials,  if  we  did  not 
feel  them.  He,  who  knows  our  frame,  is 
pleased  to  allow  that  afflictions  for  the  present 
are  not  joyous  but  grievous.  But  to  them 
that  fear  him,  he  is  near  at  hand,  to  support 
their  spirits,  to  moderate  their  grief,  and,  in 
the  issue,  to  sanctify  it;  so  that  they  shall  come 


52  Psalm  xxxix.  10. 

out  of  the  furnace  refined,  more  humble  and 
more  spiritual.  There  is,  however,  a  part 
assigned  us:  we  are  to  pray  for  the  help  we 
need;  and  we  are  not  wilfully  to  give  way  to 
the  impression  of  overwhelming  sorrows. 
We  are  to  endeavour  to  turn  our  thoughts  to 
such  considerations  as  are  suited  to  alleviate 
it:  our  deserts  as  sinners;  the  many  mercies 
we  are  still  indulged  with;  the  still  greater 
afflictions  which  many  of  our  fellow-creatures 
endure;  and,  above  all,  the  sufierings  of  Jesus, 
that  Man  of  sorrows,  who  made  himself  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  grief  for  our  sakes." — 
J.  Newton. 


Psalm  xxxix.  10. 

I  am  consumed  by  the  blow  of  thine  hand. 

What  is  health?  what  is  strength?  what  is 
beauty?  How  soon  Thou  causest  it  all  to 
pass  away.  When  thou  dost  contend,  who 
will  answer  thee?  When  thou  dost  bind  with 
a  chain,  who  can  rend  it  asunder?  Behold, 
"  thou  breakest  down,  and  it  cannot  be  built 
up  again;  thou  shuttest  up  a  man,  and  there 
can  be  no  opening."  How  little  reason  have 
I  to  glory  in  a  healthy  constitution.      How 


Psalm  xxxix.  10.  53 

vain  to  depend  on  strength.  How  unwise  to 
presume  on  prosperity.  With  what  shame, 
too,  am  I  filled,  when  I  consider  how  little  I 
valued  health  while  I  possessed  it;  how  the 
days  have  passed  on  unimproved.  Now  I 
call  to  remembrance  the  coldness  of  my  heart, 
and  the  unfruitfulness  of  my  life.  Ah!  how 
little  impression  have  sermons,  and  mercies, 
and  privileges  made  on  my  mind.  Oh,  my 
God !  I  am  confounded  before  thee,  and  would 
be  humbled  in  the  dust.  I  abhor  myself, 
while  I  admire  and  adore  thee  for  thy  sparing 
mercy,  for  thou  mightest  justly  have  cut  me 
down  as  a  cumberer  of  the  ground.  But  it 
is  of  thy  mercies  that  I  am  not  consumed,  be- 
cause thy  compassions  fail  not. — Buck. 

Diseases  are  thy  servants,  Lord, 

They  come  at  thy  command  ; 
I'll  not  attempt  a  murmuring  word 

Against  thy  chastening  hand. 

Yet  I  may  plead,  with  humble  cries. 

Remove  thy  sharp  rebukes ; 
My  strength  consumes,  my  spirit  dies. 

Through  thy  repeated  strokes. 

Crushed  as  a  moth  beneath  thy  hand, 
We  moulder  to  the  dust ; 
E  2 


54  Psalm  xxxix.  11. 

Our  feeble  powers  can  ne'er  withstand, 
And  all  our  beauty's  lost. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Psalm  xxxix.  11. 

When  thou  with  rebukes  dost  correct  man  for  iniquity, 
thou  makest  his  beauty  to  consume  away  like  a  moth : 
surely  every  man  is  vanity. 

"When  thou  with  rebukes  dost  correct 
man  for  sin,  (that  is,  by  sicknesses,  death  of 
relations,  and  other  losses,)  thou  makest  his 
beauty  (  that  is,  of  his  outward  man,)  to  con- 
sume away  like  a  moth."  Whereas  the  beauty 
of  the  soul  grows  fair  by  ajSliction,  but  that  of 
the  body  is  blasted.  Age,  sickness,  losses, 
will  make  the  beauty  of  the  body  to  fade,  but 
of  the  soul  to  shine.  '•'  Though  our  outward 
man"  decay  and  "  perish,  our  inward  man  is 
renewed  day  by  day,"  2  Cor.  iv.  16.  But 
for  worldly  sorrow;  that,  too  often,  not  only 
weakens  the  body,  but  also  causes  heart  trou- 
ble. "  A  merry  heart  doeth  good  like  a  me- 
dicine: but  a  broken  spirit  drieth  the  bones," 
Prov.  xvii.  22.^Bunyan. 

When  Thou  for  sin  rebukest  man. 
Forthwith  he  waxeth  wo  and  wan ; 


Psalm  xxxix.  13.  55 

Bitterness  fills  our  bowels;  all  our  hearts 
Pine  and  decay, 
And  drop  away, 
And  carry  with  them  th'  other  parts. 

But  thou  wilt  sin  and  grief  destroy ; 
That  so  the  broken  bones  may  joy, 
And  tune  together,  in  a  well-set  song, 
Full  of  his  praises, 
Who  dead  men  raises. 
Fractures  well  cur'd  make  us  more  strong. 

Herbert. 


Psalm  xxxix.  13. 

O  spare  me,  that  I  may  recover  strength,  before  I  go 
hence,  and  be  no  more. 

As  a  good  man  would  not  wish  to  pass  into 
eternity  beneath  the  load  of  unpardoned  guilt; 
so  neither  would  he  desire  to  meet  his  Judge 
in  a  state  of  spiritual  declension.  His  desire 
is,  that  his  house  may  be  set  in  order;  and 
that,  when  his  Lord  cometh,  he  may  be  found 
watching  for  his  approach.  How  welcome  is 
death  to  him  that  can  die  daily;  it  is  he  only 
that  can  desire  to  depart  and  to  be  with  Christ, 
which  is  far  better. — Dr.  Morison. 

The  dread  and  dislike  of  death,  do  by  no 


56  Psalm  xli.  3. 

means  prove  that  a  person  is  not  a  child  of 
God.  Even  a  strong  believer  may  be  afraid 
to  die.  We  are  not,  in  general,  fond  of  hand- 
ling a  serpent  or  a  viper,  even  though  its  sting 
is  drawn,  and  though  we  know  it  to  be  so. — 
Martin. 

This  mortal  life  decays  apace, 
How  soon  the  bubble's  broke ! 

Adam,  and  all  his  numerous  race, 
Are  vanity  and  smoke. 

I'm  but  a  sojourner  below. 

As  all  my  fathers  were: 
May  I  be  well  prepared  to  go 

When  I  the  summons  hear. 

But  if  my  life  be  spared  awhile, 

Before  my  last  remove. 
Thy  praise  shall  be  my  business  still, 

And  I'll  declare  thy  love. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Psalm  xli.  3. 


The  Lord  will  strengthen  him  upon  the  bed  of  lan- 
guishing :  thou  wilt  make  all  his  bed  in  his  sickness. 

God  has  promised  his  people  that  he  will 
strengthen  them,  and  make  them  easy  under 


Psalm  xli.  4.  57 

their  bodily  pains  and  sicknesses.  He  has 
not  promised  that  they  shall  never  be  sick, 
nor  that  they  shall  not  lie  long  languishing, 
nor  that  their  sickness  shall  not  be  unto  death; 
but  he  hath  promised  to  enable  them  to  bear 
their  affliction  with  patience,  and  cheerfully 
to  wait  the  issue:  the  soul  shall,  by  his  grace, 
be  made  to  dwell  at  ease,  when  the  body  lies 
in  pain. — M.  Henry. 

If  we  cannot  think  of  Christ  through  the 
power  of  disease,  0  what  a  happiness  is  it  to 
be  assured,  that  Christ  thinks  constantly  and 
effectually  of  us.  He  maketh  all  our  bed  in 
our  sickness;  that  is,  he  turns  the  whole  frame 
of  our  condition  in  it  for  our  best  advantage. — 

Serle. 

♦ 

Psalm  xli.  4. 

I  said,  Lord,  be  merciful  unto  me  :  heal  my  soul;  for 
I  have  sinned  against  thee. 

When  we  are  under  the  rod,  we  must  thus 
recommend  ourselves  to  the  tender  mercy  of 
our  God: — Lord,  heal  my  soul.  Pardoning 
mercy  heals  it;  renewing  grace  heals  it:  and 
this  spiritual  healing  we  should  be  more 
earnest  for,  than  for  bodily  health. — M. 
Henry. 


58  Psalm  xlvi.  1. 

Stamp  thine  own  image  on  my  soul ; 

Lift  from  the  dust  mine  head  ; 
Lord,  thou  hast  wounded — make  me  whole; 

Hast  slain — now  raise  the  dead. 

Montgomery. 


Psalm  xlvi.  1. 


God  is  our  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present  help  in 
trouble. 

They  who  have  received  Jesus  Christ  as 
their  Lord  and  Saviour,  in  love  and  obedience 
to,  and  dependence  on  him,  may  make  the 
power,  wisdom,  truth,  and  love  of  God  their 
refuge  and  strength;  and  in  every  urgent 
danger  and  trouble  they  will  find  him  a  ready 
and  present  help. — Thomas  Scott. 

"Come,"  would  Luther  say  to  Melancthon, 
a  wise  man,  but  more  timorous  than  himself, 
when  prospects  looked  dark  and  distressing 
at  the  beginning  of  the  reformation,  "  Come, 
let  us  sing  the  forty-sixth  psalm,  and  let  earth 
and  hell  do  their  worst." — Jay. 

God  is  the  refuge  of  his  saints, 
When  storms  of  dark  distress  invade; 
Ere  we  can  offer  our  complaints. 
Behold  him  present  with  his  aid. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Psalm  xlvi.  10.  59 

Psalm  xlvi.  10. 
Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am  God. 

HE  is  God:  this  we  should  consider,  and 
not  lift  up  a  rebellious  hand,  or  suffer  a  dis- 
loyal thought  to  rise  in  our  minds  against 
him.  And,  indeed,  nothing  would  contribute 
more  to  reconcile  us  to  the  providence  of  God, 
in  any  of  the  evils  that  befall  us,  than  just 
apprehensions  of  his  authority.  A  child  will 
take  that  correction  from  his  father,  and  a 
servant  from  his  master,  which  he  would  not 
bear  from  another.  The  reason  is,  they  have 
a  right  to  correct,  which  a  stranger  has  not. 
And  this  is  the  case  of  Christians,  as  the 
apostle  intimates,  arguing  from  the  relation 
between  God  and  us:  "We  have  had  fathers 
of  our  flesh  which  corrected  us,  and  we  gave 
them  reverence:  shall  we  not  much  rather  be 
in  subjection  unto  the  Father  of  spirits,  and 
live?'^  No  earthly  fathers  or  masters  have 
that  authority  over  us  which  God  has.  This 
we  should  consider,  and  endeavour  to  bring 
our  minds  under  the  impression  and  influence 
of  his  sovereignty;  and,  when  he  smites,  kiss 
the  rod,  and  adore  the  hand  that  holds  it. — 
Benjamin  Bennet. 


60  Psalm  l.  15. 

God  of  my  life,  look  gently  down, 
Behold  the  pains  I  feel  ; 

But  I  am  dumb  before  thy  throne, 
Nor  dare  dispute  thy  will. 


Dr.  Watts. 


Psalm  1.  15. 


Call  upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble :   I  will  deliver 
thee,  and  thou  shall  glorify  me. 

Till  the  day  of  trouble  comes,  such  a  pro- 
mise is  like  the  city  of  refuge  to  an  Israelite, 
who,  not  having  slain  a  man,  was  in  no  dan- 
ger of  the  avenger  of  blood.  He  had  a  pri- 
vilege near  him,  of  which  he  knew  not  the 
use  and  value,  because  he  was  not  in  the  case 
for  which  it  was  provided.  But  some  can 
say,  I  not  only  believe  this  promise  upon  the 
authority  of  the  Speaker,  but  I  can  set  my 
seal  to  it;  I  have  been  in  trouble,  I  took  this 
course  for  relief,  and  I  have  not  been  disap- 
pointed. The  Lord  verily  heard  and  deli- 
vered me.  Thus  afflictions  likewise  give 
occasion  of  our  knowing  and  noticing  more 
of  the  Lord's  wisdom,  power,  and  goodness, 
in  supporting  and  relieving,  than  we  should 
otherwise  have  known. — Newton. 


Psalm  l.  15.  61 

Art  thou  in  bodily  sickness?  call  upon 
God,  beg  of  him  to  support  thee  under  thy 
pain  and  languor,  to  give  thee  patience,  sub- 
mission, and  resignation  to  his  will.  It  is 
lawful,  too,  that  thou  shouldest  ask  for  the 
removal  of  thy  affliction  in  God's  own  good 
time  and  way,  that  thou  mayest  be  restored 
to  health  and  capacity  for  the  duties  and 
enjoyments  of  life.  But,  above  all,  ask  for  a 
sanctified  use  of  the  affliction;  that  thy  bodily 
sickness  may  be  made  the  means  of  health  to 
thy  soul;  that  thou  mayest  be  awakened  to  a 
more  deep  and  effectual  sense  of  the  impor- 
tance of  eternal  things — of  thy  state  as  a  lost, 
perishing,  and  undone  sinner;  and  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  asthe  only,  and  the  all-sufficient 
Saviour;  that  thy  affliction  may  be  made  a 
means,  under  the  Divine  blessing,  of  work- 
ing holiness  in  thee,  so  that  thou  mayest  come 
out  from  the  affliction  as  gold  purified  in  the 
fire;  or,  if  thy  sickness  should  be  unto  death, 
that  thou  mayest  be  prepared  for  the  event, 
and  made  ready  and  willing  for  another  and 
better  world. 

It  is  also  right  that  in  a  time  of  sickness 
we  should  call  upon  God  in  a  way  of  pious 
resolution  and  self-dedication;  but  this  must 

F 


62  PSAL3I  LI.  4. 

always  be  done  with  the  deepest  sense  of  our 
own  insufficiency  and  instability,  and  the 
most  humble  reliance  upon  Divine  grace, 
which  alone  can  enable  us  to  perform  our 
vows.  Thus  did  David  in  his  affliction,  and 
thus  the  saints  of  God,  in  all  ages,  have  found 
it  their  privilege  and  their  comfort  to  do. 
"  The  sorrows  of  death  compassed  me,  and 
the  pains  of  hell  gat  hold  upon  me:  I  found 
trouble  and  sorrow.  Then  called  I  upon  the 
name  of  the  Lord;  0  Lord,  I  beseech  thee, 
deliver  my  soul." — "  Because  he  hath  inclined 
his  ear  unto  me,  therefore  will  I  call  upon  him 
as  long  as  I  live.  1  will  walk  before  the  Lord, 
in  the  land  of  the  living." — J.  P.  Hewlett. 


Psalm  li.  4. 


That  thou  mightest  be  justified  when  thou  speakest, 
and  be  clear  when  thou  judgest. 

Now  here  is  the  way  to  come  to  a  holy  use 
of  all  crosses — to  consider,  in  all,  that  it  is  the 
Lord  which  judgeth  us.  Whatsoever  betide 
us,  it  is  according  to  his  dispensing:  the  be- 
ginning, the  measure,  the  end  of  every  visi- 
tation is  by  his  ordering.     Who  will  not  be 


Psalm  li.  4.  63 

afraid  to  repine  when  this  is  thought  upon? 
Who  will  not  set  himself  diligently  to  a  mak- 
ing use  of  all,  when  this  is  duly  pondered? 
What  a  confident  expectation  of  a  gracious 
issue  will  this  produce,  when  one  well  con- 
sidereth  that  he  is  in  the  hand  of  a  wise  and 
gracious  God,  who,  knowing  what  we  are, 
will  inflict  no  more  than  he  himself  shall 
make  us  able  to  endure.  It  is  the  common 
manner  to  grow  into  indignation  at  second 
causes  in  sicknesses:  we  many  times  blame 
the  air,  the  house,  the  company,  the  diet;  we 
think  not  upon  God,  that  ordereth  all:  so  in 
losses,  we  cry  out  upon  this,  and  rage  against 
that;  this  it  was  owing  to,  and  by  that  it  was 
caused;  we  look  not  up,  as  we  ought,  to  Him 
that  sitteth  at  the  stern,  and  guideth  all  par- 
ticulars. Let  us  learn  of  David  here  to  raise 
up  our  thoughts  a  degree  higher,  and,  when 
any  thing  cometh  athwart,  let  us  pitch  upon 
this — It  is  the  Lord  that  judgeth  us.  Little 
know  we,  until  we  have  found  it  in  expe- 
rience, what  is  the  quiet  fruit  of  righteous- 
ness which  will  follow  hereupon. — Jerome. 

How  should  the  sons  of  Adam's  race 
Be  pure  before  their  God  ? 


64  PsAL>r  Lv.  22. 

If  he  contend  in  righteousness 
We  fall  beneath  his  rod. 

To  vindicate  my  words  and  thoughts 

I'll  make  no  more  pretence  ; 
Not  one  of  all  my  thousand  faults 

Can  bear  a  just  defence. 

Strong  is  his  arm,  his  heart  is  wise  ; 

What  vain  presumers  dare 

Against  their  Maker's  hand  to  raise, 

Or  tempt  the  unequal  war. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Psalm  lv.  22. 

Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  sustain 
thee :  he  shall  never  suffer  the  righteous  to  be  moved. 

What  a  glorious  promise  to  a  tempted  and 
afflicted  soul!  God  will  carry  both  thee  and 
thy  load.  Then  cast  thyself  and  it  upon  him. 
— Dr.  A.  Clarke. 

It  is  our  part  to  let  the  Almighty  exer- 
cise his  own  office,  and  guide  his  own  helm. 
There  is  nothing  left  us  but  to  see  how  we 
may  be  approved  of  him,  and  how  we  may 
roll  the  weight  of  our  weak  souls  (in  well 
doing)  upon  him  who  is  God  Omnipotent. — 

GURNALL. 


Psalm  lx.  11. — lxvi.  10.  65 

But  I,  with  all  my  cares, 

Will  lean  upon  the  Lord  ; 
I'll  cast  my  burdens  on  his  arm, 

And  trust  upon  his  word. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Psalm  lx.  11. 

Give  us  help  from  trouble :  for  vain  is  the  help  of 
man. 

Then  only  we  are  qualified  to  receive  help 
from  God,  when  we  are  brought  to  own  the 
insufficiency  of  all  creatures  to  do  that  for  us 
which  we  expect  him  to  do. — M.  Henry. 

Our  sorrows  and  our  tears  we  pour 

Into  the  bosom  of  our  God ; 
He  hears  us  in  the  mournful  hour, 

And  helps  us  bear  the  heavy  load. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Psalm  lxvi.  10. 


For  thou,  O  God,  hast  proved  us:  thou  hast  tried  us, 
as  silver  is  tried. 

Then  we  are  likely  to  get  good  by  our 
afflictions,  when  we  look  upon  them  under 
this  notion;  for  then  we  may  see  God's  grace 

F  2 


66  Psalm  lxxiii.  26. 

and  love  at  the  bottom  of  them.  By  afflic- 
tions we  are  proved,  as  silver  in  the  fire:  1. 
That  our  graces,  by  being  tried,  may  be  made 
more  evident,  and  so  we  may  be  approved, 
as  silver  when  it  is  touched  and  marked  ster- 
ling; and  this  will  be  to  our  praise  at  the 
appearing  of  Jesus  Christ,  1  Pet.  i.  7;  and, 
perhaps,  in  this  world:  Job's  integrity  and 
constancy  were  manifested  by  his  afflictions. 
2.  That  our  graces,  by  being  exercised,  may 
be  made  more  strong  and  active,  and  so  we 
may  be  improved,  as  silver  when  it  is  refined 
by  the  fire,  and  made  more  clear  from  its 
dross;  and  this  will  be  to  our  unspeakable  ad- 
vantage, for  thus  we  are  made  partakers  of 
God's  holiness. — M.  Henry. 

I  must  expect  a  daily  cross, 

Lord  sanctify  the  pain ; 
Bid  every  furnace  purge  my  dross, 

And  yield  some  patient  gain. 

Berridge. 

Psalm  lxxiii.  26. 

My  flesh  and  my  heart  faileth :  but  God  is  the  strength 
of  my  heart,  and  my  portion  for  ever. 

Others  have  experienced,  and  we  must  ex- 


Psalm  lxxiii.  26.  67 

pect,  the  failing  both  of  flesh  and  heart.  The 
body  will  fail,  by  sickness,  age,  and  death, 
and  that  which  touches  the  bone  and  the  flesh, 
touches  us  in  a  tender  part,  that  part  of  our- 
selves which  we  have  been  but  too  fond  of. 
When  the  flesh  fails,  the  heart  is  ready  to 
fail  too :  the  conduct,  and  courage,  and  com- 
fort f\iils;  but  gracious  souls,  in  their  great- 
est distresses,  rest  upon  God  as  their  spirit- 
ual strength,  and  their  eternal  portion. — M. 
Henry. 

Jesus  !  in  whom  but  thee  above, 
Can  I  repose  my  trust,  my  love  ? 
And  shall  an  earthly  object  be 
Loved  in  comparison  with  thee  ? 

My  flesh  is  hastening  to  decay, 

Soon  shall  the  world  have  passed  away ; 

And  what  can  mortal  friends  avail, 

When  heart,  and  strength,  and  life  shall  fail? 

Bin  O  !  be  thou,  my  Saviour,  nigh. 
And  I  shall  triumph  while  I  die ; 
My  strength,  my  portion,  is  Divine, 
And  Jesus  is  for  ever  mine ! 

CONDER. 


68         Psalm  lxxvii.  7,  8. — lxxviii.  34. 

Psalm  lxxvii.  7,  8. 

Will  the  Lord  cast  off  for  ever?  and  will  he  be  favour- 
able no  more?  Is  his  mercy  clean  gone  for  ever?  doth 
his  promise  fail  for  evermore  ? 

In  time  of  affliction  and  wrathful  days,  we 
are  ready  to  think  mercy  is  drowned  in  the 
ocean  of  wrath:  therefore,  it  is  seasonable  in 
time  of  wrath,  to  plead  that  God  would  re- 
member mercy. — Ralph  Erskine. 

Affliction,  simply  considered,  is  not  enough 
to  make  or  evidence  a  man  to  be  happy:  so 
neither  is  it  sufficient  to  conclude  a  man  to  be 
miserable.  No  man  is  therefore  miserable, 
because  afflicted.  It  may  prove  a  teaching 
affliction,  and  then  he  is  happy.— Case. 


Psalm  lxxviii.  34. 

When  he  slew  them,  then  they  sought  him :  and  they 
returned  and  inquired  early  after  God. 

How  officious  will  men  be  in  affliction  to 
that  God  whom  they  neglect  in  their  pros- 
perity. They  remembered  him  under  the 
scourge,  and  forgot  him  under  his  smiles. 
They  visit  the  throne  of  grace,  knock  loud  at 
heaven's  gates,  and  give  God  no  rest  for  their 


Psal:^!  lxxviii.  34.  69 

early  and  importunate  devotions  when  under 
distress;  but  when  their  desires  are  answered, 
and  the  rod  removed,  they  stand  aloof  from 
him,  and  rest  upon  their  own  foundation;  as, 
"  We  are  lords;  we  will  come  no  more  unto 
thee,"  Jer.  ii.  31.  When  we  have  need  of 
him,  he  shall  find  us  clients  at  his  gate;  and 
when  we  have  served  our  turn,  he  hears  no 
more  of  us:  like  Noah's  dove  sent  out  of  the 
ark,  that  returned  to  him  when  she  found  no 
rest  on  the  earth,  but  came  not  back  when  she 
found  a  footing  elsewhere.  How  often  do 
men  apply  themselves  to  God,  when  they 
have  some  business  for  him  to  do  for  them; 
and  then,  too,  they  are  loath  to  put  it  solely 
into  his  hand,  to  manage  it  for  his  own  ho- 
nour; but  they  presume  to  be  his  directors, 
that  he  may  manage  it  for  their  glory.  Self 
spurs  men  on  to  the  throne  of  grace;  they 
desire  to  be  furnished  with  some  mercy  they 
want,  or  to  have  the  clouds  of  some  judgments 
which  they  fear,  blown  over:  this  is  not  affec- 
tion to  God,  but  to  ourselves. — Char?^ock. 

You  have  now  vacant  days,  and  perhaps, 
too,  sleepless  nights,  spent  in  silence  on  a 
bed  of  sickness  or  of  pain.  Use  these  tedious 
but  precious  hours  in  examining  your  own 


70  Psalm  lxxviii.  38,  39. 

heart;  in  searching  and  trying  your  ways, 
that  you  may  learn  the  special  design  of  Pro- 
vidence in  this  dispensation;  that  you  may 
recollect  what  duties  you  have  been  most  ac- 
customed to  neglect  in  the  place  and  relation 
in  which  you  are  fixed,  and  what  temptations 
have  been  most  ready  to  prevail  upon  you, 
and,  in  some  lamented  instances,  to  draw  you 
aside  from  Him,  whose  goodness,  forbearance, 
and  mercy,  you  had  so  often  experienced. — 
Dr.  Stonehouse. 


Psalm  lxxviii.  38,  39. 

But  He,  being  full  of  compassion,  forgave  their  ini- 
quity, and  destroyed  them  not:  yea,  many  a  time  turned 
he  his  anger  away,  and  did  not  stir  up  all  his  wrath.  For 
he  remembered  that  they  were  but  flesh ;  a  wind  that 
passeth  away,  and  comethnot  again. 

He,  feeling  for  them  as  a  father  for  his  chil- 
dren, made  an  atonement  for  their  iniquity; 
and,  though  they  often  grieved  his  Spirit,  and 
rebelled  against  him,  yet  he  seldom  punished 
them;  and,  when  he  did  chastise  them,  he 
took  their  feeble  perishing  state  always  into 
consideration,  and  knew  how  much  they 
needed  the  whole  of  their  state  of  probation. 


Psalm  lxxxvi.  7.  71 

and  therefore  he  bore  with  them  to  the  utter- 
most. How  merciful  is  God  I — Dr.  Adam 
Clarke. 

Severe  afflictions  liave  been  necessary  to 
recover  us  from  our  backslidings;  and  though 
we  are  not  mere  hypocrites  in  returning  to 
the  Lord,  yet  we  have  soon  forgotten  the  sa- 
lutary lesson.  If  our  hearts  have,  perhaps, 
been  sincere,  yet  they  have  not  been  steadfast 
with  him,  so  that  it  is  of  the  Lord^s  mercies 
that  we  are  not  consumed  with  our  fellow- 
sinners;  and  we  have  cause  to  review,  with 
shame  and  gratitude,  every  stage  of  our  jour- 
ney through  the  wilderness. — Thomas  Scott. 


Psalm  lxxxvi.  7. 

In  the  day  of  my  trouble  I  will  call  upon  thee. 

Prayer  is  the  solace  of  trouble.  There  is 
some  relief  in  tears,  and  therefore  nature  is 
provided  with  them.  It  eases  and  soothes 
the  bursting  heart,  to  pour  our  grief  into  the 
ear  of  a  friend,  who,  having  rejoiced  when  we 
rejoiced,  will  weep  when  we  weep.  But,  oh! 
how  good  is  it  to  draw  near  to  God!  How 
delightful  is  it,  like  Job,  to  pour  out  our  tears 


72  Psalm  lxxxvi.  7. 

unto  him;  and  resemble  the  child  that  sobs 
himself  asleep  in  his  mother's  arms,  and  on 
his  mother's  breast. — Jay. 

It  is  true,  a  good  man  is  always  a  praying 
man;  he  considers  prayer  as  the  grand  means 
of  intercourse  with  God.  But  how  differently 
he  feels  in  the  hour  of  affliction  to  what  he 
does  at  other  times.  He  has  often  reason  to 
lament  over  the  insensibility  of  his  heart,  and 
the  cold  manner  in  which  his  supplications  are 
presented  before  the  throne.  But,  when  af- 
fliction comes,  what  life  and  energy  does  it 
put  into  his  prayers;  he  does  not  then  want 
words  to  express  himself;  it  is  not  then  a  for- 
mal service;  his  whole  heart  is  engaged;  yea, 
he  finds  it  his  privilege  that  he  can  take  his 
afflictions  to  God,  and  that,  while  he  is  sur- 
rounded by  the  tempest,  he  can  implore  the 
protection  of  Him  who  hath  all  things  under 
his  command.  Ah,  how  man)^  can  look  back 
to  the  place  of  affliction,  and  say  :  "  There  it 
was  my  soul  poured  out  many  prayers  to  the 
Lord;  there  I  prayed  indeed;  there  I  knew 
what  communion  with  God  meant;  there  I 
sought  the  Lord,  and  he  heard  me,  and  deli- 
vered me  from  all  my  fears. — Buck. 


Psalm  lxxxviii.  7.  73 

Psalm  lxxxviii.  7. 

Thou  hast  afflicted  me  with  all  thy  waves. 

A  righteous  man  considers  his  afflictions  as 
coming  from  the  hand  of  God;  and  thus  we 
should  all  learn  to  receive  them.  They  must 
necessarily  come,  and  when  they  come  they 
must  be  borne;  but  they  can  only  be  borne 
with  submission,  as  we  see  God  in  them.  A 
man  in  affliction  is  a  pitiable  sight;  but  a  man 
in  affliction,  without  God,  is  an  awful  one. 
Oh,  how  I  pity  that  poor  creature,  laid  upon 
the  bed  of  languishing,  full  of  pain,  without 
food,  without  medicine,  without  one  kind 
friend  to  smooth  his  pillow,  to  put  into  his 
hand  a  suitable  remedy,  to  raise  him  up,  or 
afford  him  the  least  mean  of  help:  but  I  pity 
from  my  heart,  a  thousand  times  more,  the 
miserable  wretch  that  lies  bound  with  the 
cords  of  affliction,  and  struggling  with  disease, 
without  any  sense  of  a  Divine  Providence, 
without  acknowledging  that  it  is  the  hand  of 
God,  and  who  never  once  cries  to  Him,  who 
alone  can  heal,  and  can  save.  Christian,  it  is 
your  privilege,  under  all  the  sorrows  you  are 
called  to  bear,  to  look  up  and  say,  "  The  Lord 
reigneth.      Clouds   and    darkness   are   round 

G 


74  Psalm  lxxxix.  30 — 33. 

about  him;  but  righteousness  and  judgment 
are  the  habitation  of  his  throne."  It  is  true, 
you  cannot  develope  the  whole  of  the  Divine 
plan,  yet  you  can  bear  your  testimony,  and 
say,  "  It  is  good  for  me  to  be  afflicted."  Yea, 
yours  is  the  privilege  to  hope,  yours  to  trust, 
yours  to  rejoice,  yours  to  look  forward  with 
pleasing  anticipation  to  the  happy  period  when 
the  clouds  shall  pass  away,  and  the  light  of 
heaven  shine  without  interruption  for  ever. — 
Buck. 

Floods  of  tribulation  heighten, 

Billows  still  around  me  roar; 
Those  who  know  not  Christ,  they  frighten, 
But  my  soul  defies  their  power : 

Sweet  affliction — 
Thus  to  bring  my  Saviour  near. 

Pearce. 


Psalm  lxxxix.  30 — 33. 

If  his  children  forsake  my  law,  and  walk  not  in  my 
judgments;  if  they  break  my  statutes,  and  keep  not  my 
commandments;  then  will  I  visit  their  transgression 
with  the  rod,  and  their  iniquity  with  stripes.  Neverthe- 
less, my  loving-kindness  will  1  not  utterly  take  from  him, 
nor  suffer  my  faithfulness  to  fail. 

Observe  what  affliction  is  to  God's  people. 


Psalm  lxxxix.  30 — 33.  75 

1.  It  is  but  a  rod;  not  an  axe,  not  a  sword:  it 
is  for  correction,  not  for  destruction.  This 
notes  gentleness  in  the  affliction,  such  a  rod 
as  yields  the  peaceable  fruit  of  righteousness. 

2.  It  is  a  rod  in  the  hand  of  God.  I  will  visit 
them.  He  is  wise,  and  knovvs  what  he  doth; 
gracious,  and  will  do  what  is  best.  3.  It  is 
the  rod  which  they  shall  never  feel  the  smart 
of,  but  when  there  is  great  need.  "If  they 
break  my  law,  then  I  will  visit  their  trans- 
gression with  a  rod,^'  but  not  else.  Then  it 
is  requisite  that  God's  honour  be  vindicated, 
and  that  they  be  humbled  and  reduced.  The 
continuance  of  Christ's  kingdom  is  made  cer- 
tain, notwithstanding  all.  Nevertheless  my 
kindness  will  I  not  totally  and  finally  take 
from  him.  Notwithstanding  their  provoca- 
tions, yet  my  covenant  shall  not  be  broken. 
Afflictions  are  not  only  consistent  with  co- 
venant love,  but,  to  the  people  of  God,  they 
flow  from  it.  Though  David's  seed  be  chas- 
tened, it  doth  not  follow  that  they  are  disin- 
herited; they  may  be  cast  down,  but  they  are 
not  cast  off. — M.  Henry. 

Judge  not  the  Lord  by  feeble  sense, 
But  trust  him  for  his  grace ; 


76  Psalm  xc.  12. 

Behind  a  frowning  Providence, 

Co^VPER. 


He  hides  a  smiling  face. 


Psalm  xc.  12. 


So  teach  us  to  number  our  days,  that  we  may  apply 
our  hearts  unto  wisdom. 

Did  we,  indeed,  know  and  consider  how 
quickly  we  shall  pass  from  hence,  it  were  not 
possible  for  us  to  cleave  so  fast  to  the  things 
of  this  life  and,  as  foolish  children,  to  wade 
in  ditches,  and  fill  our  laps  with  mire  and 
dirt;  to  prefer  base  earth  and  flesh  to  immor- 
tality and  glory. — Abp.  Leighton. 

Teach  me  the  measure  of  my  days, 

Thou  Maker  of  my  frame ; 
I  would  survey  life's  narrow  space, 

And  learn  how  frail  I  am. 

A  span  is  all  that  we  can  boast, 

An  inch  or  two  of  time; 
Man  is  but  vanity  and  dust. 

In  all  his  flower  and  prime. 

What  should  I  wish  or  wait  for,  then, 
From  creatures,  earth  and  dust? 

They  make  our  expectations  vain. 
And  disappoint  our  trust. 


FsALM  xci.  5.  77 

Now  I  forbid  my  carnal  hope, 

My  fond  desires  recall; 
I  give  my  mortal  interest  up, 
And  make  my  God  my  all. 

Dr.  Watts. 
^ 

Psalm  xci.  5. 

Thou  shalt  not  be  afraid  for  the  terror  by  night,  nor 
for  the  arrow  that  flieth  by  day. 

Here  is  great  security  promised  to  believers 
in  the  midst  of  this  danger:  "Thou  shalt  not 
be  afraid;"  that  is,  God  by  his  grace  will  keep 
thee  from  disquieting,  distrustful  fear,  that  fear 
which  hath  torment,  in  the  midst  of  the  great- 
est dangers.  Wisdom  shall  keep  thee  from 
being  causelessly  afraid,  and  faith  shall  keep 
thee  from  being  inordinately  afraid.  Thou 
shalt  not  be  afraid  of  the  arrow,  as  knowing, 
that  though  it  may  hit  thee,  it  cannot  hurt 
thee;  if  it  take  away  the  natural  life,  yet  it 
shall  be  so  far  from  doing  any  prejudice  to  the 
spiritual  life,  that  it  shall  be  its  perfection.  A 
believer  needs  not  fear,  and  therefore  should 
not  fear  an  arrow,  because  the  point  is  off,  the 
poison  is  out;  "0  death,  where  is  thy  sting?" 
And  because  it  is  under  Divine  direction,  and 


78  Psalm  xci.  9,  10. 

will  hit  where  God  appoints,  and  not  other- 
wise. Every  bullet  has  its  commission. 
Whatever  is  done,  our  heavenly  Father's  will 
is  done,  and  we  have  no  reason  to  be  afraid  of 
that. — M.  Henry. 

Though  destruction  walk  around  us, 

Though  the  arrow  past  us  fly, 
Angel-guards  from  Thee  surround  us  ,* 

We  are  safe,  if  Thou  art  nigh. 

Edmeston. 


Psalm  xci.  9,  10. 

Because  thou  hast  made  the  Lord,  which  is  my  refuge, 
even  the  Most  High  thy  habitation,  there  shall  no  evil 
befall  thee. 

Though  trouble  and  affliction  befall  thee, 
yet  there  shall  be  no  real  evil  in  it,  for  it 
shall  come  from  the  love  of  God,  and  shall  be 
sanctified;  it  shall  come,  not  for  thy  hurt,  but 
for  thy  good ;  and  though,  for  the  present,  it 
be  not  joyous,  but  grievous,  yet  in  the  end  it 
shall  yield  so  well,  that  thou  thyself  shalt  own 
no  evil  befell  thee.  It  is  not  an  evil,  an  only 
evil,  but  there  is  a  mixture  of  good  in  it,  and 
a  product  of  good  by  it. — M.  Henry. 


Psalm  xciv.  12.  79 

Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul, 

Let  me  to  thy  bosom  fly, 
While  the  billows  near  me  roll. 

While  the  tempest  still  is  high ! 

Hide  me,  O  my  Saviour,  hide, 

Till  the  storm  of  life  is  past; 
Safe  into  the  haven  guide, 

O  receive  my  soul  at  last. 

Other  refuge  have  I  none, 

Hangs  my  helpless  soul  on  thee ! 

Leave,  O  leave  me  not  alone  ! 
Still  support  and  comfort  me. 

All  my  trust  on  thee  is  staid ; 

All  my  help  from  thee  I  bring : 
Cover  my  defenceless  head, 

With  the  shadow  of  thy  wing. 

Charles  Wesley. 


Psalm  xciv.  12. 

Blessed  is  the  man  whom  thou  chastenest,  O  Lord, 
and  teachest  him  out  of  thy  law. 

Look  not  here  only  upon  the  affliction,  but 
see  how  it  comes  attended;  if  the  Lord  come 
along  with  it,  to  sanctify  it  to  your  amendment, 


80  Psalm  cm.  2—4. 

if  he  teach  as  well  as  chastise,  if  he  instruct 
you  as  well  as  correct  you,  then  it  is  a  proof 
of  your  happiness. — Dr.  Robert  Harris. 

He  who  each  bitter  cup  rejects, 

No  living  spring  shall  quaff; 
He  whom  thy  rod  in  love  corrects, 

Shall  lean  upon  thy  staff: 
Thrice  happy,  then,  O  Lord,  is  he, 
Who  knows  his  chastening  is  from  Thee. 

Bernard  Barton. 


Psalm  ciii.  2 — 4. 

Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his  bene- 
fits: who  forgiveth  all  thine  iniquities;  who  healeth  all 
thy  diseases;  who  redeemeth  thy  life  from  destruction. 

Forget  not  his  benefits,  but  carefully  pre- 
serve and  treasure  them  up  in  thy  memory. 
It  was  usual  for  saints,  under  the  old  testa- 
ment, to  set  up  some  visible  monument  to 
remind  them  of  God's  singular  favours  to 
them;  they  erected  stones  and  built  altars,  to 
be  memorials  of  the  mercies  they  received, 
and  put  names  on  the  places  for  this  end. 
Let  all  this  teach  you  to  guard  against  this 
evil  of  forgetting  the  Lord's  kind  providence 


Psalm  cm.  2 — 4.  81 

in  recovering  you  from  sickness.  ^You  are 
guilty  of  this  evil  when  you  do  not  duly  value 
the  mercy,  but  let  it  pass  as  a  turn  of  common 
providence.  When  you  let  the  impression  of 
the  mercy  wear  soon  off  your  hearts;  when 
you  make  a  bad  use  of  it,  or  do  not  rightly 
improve  it  to  God's  glory,  and  your  own 
soul's  good;  when  you  do  not  put  on  new 
resolutions,  to  walk  more  exactly,  live  more 
fruitfully,  and  serve  God  more  holily  and 
humbly;  then  are  you  guilty  of  forgetting  his 
benefits. — Willison. 

O  bless  the  Lord,  my  soul ; 
Let  all  within  me  join 
And  aid  my  tongue  to  bless  his  name, 
Whose  favours  are  divine. 

O  bless  the  Lord,  my  soul ; 
Nor  let  his  mercies  lie 
Forgotten  in  unthankfulness, 
And  without  praises  die. 

'Tis  he  forgives  thy  sins, 
'Tis  he  relieves  thy  pain, 
'Tis  he  that  heals  thy  sicknesses. 
And  makes  thee  young  again. 

Dr.  Watts. 


82  Psalm  cm.  5. 

Psalm  ciii.  5. 

Thy  youth  is  renewed  like  the  eagle's. 

Eagles  are  supposed  to  live  to  a  great  age; 
and  it  is  said,  that,  at  the  expiration  of  a  hun- 
dred years,  they  naturally  cast  their  feathers, 
and  are  covered  anew,  as  if  they  were  restored 
to  youth  again.  The  renewal  of  our  strength 
after  wasting  sickness,  is  very  pleasant  to  us, 
and  should  be  acknowledged  with  hearty 
thanksgiving;  yet  the  renewal  of  our  souls  to 
holiness,  and  the  renewal  of  our  spiritual 
strength  from  day  to  day,  are  blessings  of  a 
nobler  and  more  enduring  nature. — Scott. 

Bless,  O  my  soul,  the  God  of  grace, 
His  favours  claim  thy  highest  praise; 
Why  should  the  wonders  he  hath  wrought 
Be  lost  in  silence  and  forgot? 

'Tis  he,  my  soul,  that  sent  his  Son 
To  die  for  crimes  which  thou  hast  done; 
He  owns  the  ransom,  and  forgives 
The  hourly  follies  of  our  lives. 

The  vices  of  the  mind  he  heals, 
And  cures  the  pains  that  nature  feels ; 
Redeems  the.  soul  from  hell,  and  saves 
Our  wasting  life  from  threatening  graves. 


Psalm  cvii.  17—21.  83 

Our  youth  decay'd,  his  power  repairs; 
His  mercy  crowns  our  growing  years; 
He  satisfies  our  mouth  with  good, 
And  feeds  our  souls  with  heavenly  food. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Psalm  cvii.  17 — 21. 

Fools,  because  of  their  transgression,  and  because  of 
their  iniquities,  are  afflicted.  Their  soul  abhorreth  all 
manner  of  meat,  and  they  draw  near  unto  the  gates  of 
death.  Then  they  cry  unto  the  Lord  in  their  trouble, 
and  he  saveth  them  out  of  their  distresses.  He  sent  his 
word  and  healed  them,  and  delivered  them  from  their 
destructions.  O  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his 
goodness,  and  for  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of 
men. 

Though  all  our  diseases  spring  from  sin, 
yet  some  are  more  immediately  the  eflfect  of 
man's  transgression.  Infatuated  multitudes 
entail  upon  themselves  months  and  years  of 
disease  and  pain,  by  moments  of  licentious 
indulgence.  If,  in  answer  to  their  cries  of 
distress,  the  Lord  bring  them  back  from  the 
gates  of  death,  surely  they  should  praise  him 
for  his  goodness,  and  sacrifice  to  him  the 
sacrifices  of  thanksgiving,  with  fervency  equal 
to  their  great  un worthiness  of  such  favours, 


84  Psalm  cxii.  4. 

and    proportioned    to    the    consequences    of 
dying  in  such  a  manner. — Scott. 

The  Lord  is  just  and  true, 
And  upright  in  his  way  ; 
He  loves,  but  will  correct  us  too, 
Whene'er  we  run  astray. 

With  caution  we  should  tread ; 
For  as  we  sow  we  reap; 
And  oft  bring  mischief  on  our  head. 
By  some  unwary  step. 

Lord,  plant  a  godly  fear 
Before  my  roving  eyes, 
Lest  some  hid  snake,  or  wily  snare, 
My  heedless  feet  surprise. 

Or,  should  I  start  aside, 
And  meet  a  scourging  God, 
Let  not  my  heart  grow  stiff  with  pride. 
But  weep,  and  kiss  the  rod. 

Bersidge. 


Psalm  cxii.  4. 

Unto  the  upright  there  ariseth  light  in  the  darkness. 

They  shall  have  comfort  in  affliction.     It 
is  here  implied,  that  good  men  may  be  in 


Psalm  cxvi.  3^.  85 

affliction — the  promise  doth  not  exempt  them 
from  that — they  shall  have  their  share  in  the 
common  calamities  of  human  life;  but,  when 
they  sit  in  darkness,  the  Lord  shall  be  a  light 
to  them,  Mic.  vii.  8.  They  shall  be  supported 
and  comforted  under  their  troubles;  their 
spirit  shall  be  lightsome,  when  their  outward 
condition  is  clouded.  In  Egyptian  darkness, 
the  Israelites  had  light  in  their  dwellings. 
They  shall  be,  in  due  time,  and  perhaps  when 
they  least  expect  it,  delivered  out  of  their 
troubles;  when  the  night  is  darkest,  the  day 
dawns;  nay,  at  the  evening  time,  when  night 
was  looked  for,  it  shall  be  light.— M.  Henry. 

The  sunshine  to  the  flower  may  give 

The  tints  that  charm  the  sight ; 
But  scentless  would  that  flowret  live. 

If  skies  were  always  bright. 
Dark  clouds  and  showers  its  scent  bestow, 
And  purest  joy  is  born  of  wo. 

Barton. 


Psalm  cxvi.  .3. 


The  sorrows  of  death  compassed  me,  and  the  pains  of 
hell  gat  hold  upon  me :  1  found  trouble  and  sorrow. 

The  sorrows  of  death  are  great  sorrows, 

H 


86  Psalm  cxvi.  5. 

and  the  pains  of  hell  great  pains — terror  of 
conscience  arising  from  sense  of  guilt.     Let 
us,  therefore,  give  diligence  to  prepare  for  the      ' 
former,  that  we  may  escape  the  latter. — M. 
Henry. 

My  flesh  declin'd,  my  spirits  fell, 

And  I  drew  near  the  dead ; 
While  inward  pangs,  and  fears  of  hell, 

Perplexed  my  wakeful  head. 

"  My  God !"  I  cried,  "  thy  servant  save, 

Thou  ever  good  and  just  ; 
Thy  power  can  rescue  from  the  grave. 

Thy  power  is  all  my  trust." 

The  Lord  beheld  me  sore  distrest. 

He  bid  my  pains  remove  ; 
Return,  my  soul,  to  God,  thy  rest, 

For  thou  hast  known  his  love. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Psalm  cxvi.  5. 

Gracious  is  the  Lord,  and  righteous;  yea,  our  God  is 
merciful. 

He  is  righteous,  and  did  me  no  wrong  in 
afflicting  me;  he  is  gracious,  and  was  very 
kind  in  supporting  and  delivering  me.     Let 


Psalm  cxvi.  8.  87 

us  all  speak  of  God  as  we  have  found;  and 
have  we  ever  found  him  otherwise  than  just 
and  good?  No,  our  God  is  merciful,  merci- 
ful to  us,  and  it  is  of  his  mercies  that  we  are 
not  consumed. — M.  Henry. 

My  soul,  repeat  His  praise, 
Whose  mercies  are  so  great ; 
Whose  anger  is  so  slow  to  rise, 
So  ready  to  abate. 

God  will  not  always  chide ; 
And  when  his  strokes  are  felt, 
His  strokes  are  fewer  than  our  crimes, 
And  lighter  than  our  guilt. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Psalm  cxvi.  8. 
For  thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from  death. 

It  is  God's  great  mercy  to  us  that  we  are 
alive;  and  the  mercy  is  the  more  sensible  if 
we  have  been  at  death's  door,  and  yet  have 
been  spared  and  raised  up;  just  turned  to  de- 
struction, and  yet  ordered  to  return.  That  a  life 
so  often  forfeited,  and  so  often  exposed,  should 
yet  be  lengthened  out,  is  a  miracle  of  mercy. 
The  deliverance  of  the  soul  from  spiritual  and 


88  Psalm  cxvi.  9. 

eternal  death,  is  specially  to  be  acknowledged 
by  all  those  who  are  now  sanctified,  and  shall 
be  shortly  glorified. — M.  Henry. 

Ah  !  wisely  yet  revolve  this  solemn  thought, — 
"  Had  racking  pains  prevail'd,  and  death  ensued, 

Where  had  my  soul  been  found?" 
Life  is  the  time  when  pardon  must  be  sought  ; 
Death,  and  the  grave,  repentance  quite  exclude  ; 
There's  no  device,  nor  work,  nor  wisdom  under 
ground.  Joseph  Williams. 


Psalm  cxvi.  9. 

I  will  walk  before  the  Lord  in  the  land  of  the  living. 

The  consideration  of  this,  that  we  are  in  the 
land  of  the  living,  should  engage  and  quicken 
us  to  do  so.  We  are  spared,  and  continued  in 
the  land  of  the  living,  by  the  power,  and  pa- 
tience, and  tender  mercy  of  our  God,  and 
therefore  must  make  conscience  of  our  duty 
to  him.  The  land  of  the  living  is  a  land  of 
mercy,  which  we  ought  to  be  thankful  for;  it 
is  a  land  of  opportunity,  which  we  should 
improve.  Canaan  is  called  the  land  of  the 
living,  Ezek.  xxvi.  20;  and  they  whose  lot  is 
cast  in  such  a  valley  of  vision,  are  in  a  special 


Psalm  cxix.  60.  89 

manner  concerned  to  set  the  Lord  always  be- 
fore them.  If  God  has  delivered  our  soul 
from  death,  we  must  walk  before  him.  A 
new  life  must  be  a  new  life  indeed. — M. 
Henry. 

Lord,  thou  hast  heard  thy  servant  cry, 

And  rescued  from  the  grave  ; 
Now  shall  he  live :  (and  none  can  die, 

If  God  resolve  to  save.) 

Thy  praise,  more  constant  than  before, 

Shall  fill  his  daily  breath ; 
Thy  hand,  that  hath  chastised  him  sore, 

Defends  him  still  from  death. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Psalm  cxix.  50. 


This  is  ray  comfort  in  my  affliction,  for  thy  word  hath 
quickened  me. 

The  word  of  God  has  much  in  it  that  speaks 
comfort  in  affliction,  but  those  only  may  apply 
it  to  themselves  who  have  experiencedj  in 
some  measure,  the  quickening  power  of  the 
word.  If  through  grace  it  makes  us  holy, 
there  is  enough  in  it  to  make  us  easy,  in  all 
conditions,  under  all  events. — M.  Henry. 
H  2 


90  Psalm  cxix.  50. 

Precious  Bible !  what  a  treasure 

Does  the  word  of  God  afford ! 
All  I  want  for  life  or  pleasure, 

Food  and  medicine,  shield  and  sword: 

Let  the  world  account  me  poor, 

Having  this,  I  need  no  more. 

Food  to  which  the  world's  a  stranger, 

Here  my  hungry  soul  enjoys: 
Of  excess  there  is  no  danger, 

Though  it  fills,  it  never  cloys : 

On  a  dying  Christ  I  feed, 

He  is  meat  and  drink  indeed. 

Newton. 

Oh  Book !  infinite  sweetness !  let  my  heart 
Suck  every  letter,  and  a  honey  gain, 
Precious  for  any  grief,  in  any  part  ; 

To  clear  the  breast,  to  mollify  all  pain. 

Herbert. 

The  unfortunate  and  much  admired  Poet, 
Collins,  a  little  while  before  his  death,  in  a 
lucid  interval  of  that  madness  to  which  "a 
wounded  spirit"  had  driven  him,  was  found 
by  a  visiter  with  the  Bible  in  his  hand.  "  You 
see,"  said  the  poor  sufferer,  "  I  have  only  one 
book  left,  but  it  is  the  best!"  "Oh!"  ex- 
claims our  pious  poet,  Montgomery,  "  had  he 


Psalm  cxix.  67.  91 

found  that  one,  that  best  book  earlier,  and 
learned  to  derive  from  it  those  comforts  which 
it  was  sent  from  heaven  to  convey  to  the 
afflicted,  could  not  he  have  sung  ^  the  death 
of  the  righteous,'  in  numbers  as  sweet,  as 
tender,  and  sublime,  as  those  he  sung  on  the 
death  of  the  brave?" 


Psalm  cxix.  67. 

Before  I  was  afflicted  I  went  astray;  but  now  have  I 
kept  thy  word. 

What  wise  patient  will  not  more  prize  the 
healthful  ness,  than  loathe  the  bitterness  of  that 
potion  which  is  prescribed  him  by  an  able 
and  careful  physician?  And  so,  what  dutiful 
child  of  God  will  not  more  value  the  benefit, 
than  fear  the  sufferings  of  those  afflictions 
which  are  laid  upon  him  by  so  wise  and  in- 
dulgent a  Father?  Needs  must  this  adminis- 
ter much  comfort  to  the  afflicted  saints  of 
God,  rightly  to  consider,  that  God  casts  into 
the  furnace  of  affliction,  as  says  Augustine, 
not  that  the  vessel  may  be  destroyed,  but 
renewed ;  made  what  Paul  was,  a  chosen 
vessel,  or   as   Paul   speaks,  a   vessel   of  ho- 


92  Psalm  oxix.  67. 

nour,  meet  for  the  Master's  use.  Seeing  this, 
then,  is  one  main  end  of  afflictions,  the  over- 
throw of  sin,  and  the  renewing  in  grace,  be 
careful,  0  thou  afflicted  soul!  in  this,  even  the 
reformation  of  life.  Thus  it  was  with  good 
Jacob,  when  he  was  afflicted  with  the  cruelty 
of  his  sons,  and  the  fear  of  the  Canaanites;  he 
then  remembers  his  vow,  and  fulfils  it;  he 
then  orders  his  household,  and  reforms  it; 
then  the  strange  gods  are  put  away,  and,  in 
zeal  to  God's  worship,  he  goes  to  build  him 
an  altar  at  Bethel.  Doubtless  he  loseth  the 
benefit  of  afflictions  that  is  not  bettered  by 
them;  for  that,  like  Jonathan's  arrows,  they 
are  not  intended  to  the  godly  to  wound,  but 
to  warn;  not  to  kill,  but  to  admonish. — Mos- 

SOM. 

Long  unafflicted,  undismayed, 
In  pleasure's  path  secure  I  strayed ; 
Thou  madest  me  feel  thy  chastening  rod, 
And  straight  1  turned  unto  my  God. 

What,  though  it  pierced  my  fainting  heart, 
I  blessed  thine  hand  that  caused  the  smart; 
It  taught  my  tears  awhile  to  flow, 
But  saved  me  from  eternal  woe. 


Psalm  cxix.  71.  93 

Oh !  hadst  thou  left  me  unchastised, 
Thy  precept  I  had  still  despised ; 
And  still  the  snare  in  secret  laid, 
Had  my  unwary  feet  betrayed. 

I  love  thee,  therefore,  O  my  God, 
And  breathe  towards  thy  dear  abode; 
Where,  in  thy  presence  fully  blest, 
Thy  chosen  saints  for  ever  rest. 

COWPER. 


Psalm  cxix.  71. 

It  is  good  for  me  that  I  have  been  afflicted. 

Physic  is  sometimes  as  good  as  food;  yea, 
and  more  necessary  many  times,  however  un- 
easy it  may  be.  "You  only  have  I  known  of 
all  the  families  on  the  earth,  therefore  will  I 
punish  you  for  your  iniquities."  It  is  as  good 
for  a  child  of  God  to  be  punished,  as  it  is  for 
a  young  tree  to  be  pruned,  John  xv.  2.  Yea, 
the  pressure  of  affliction  may  press  out  the 
fragrant  smell  of  their  graces. — Ralph  Er- 

SKINE. 

I  find  afflictions  good  for  me.  I  have  ever 
found  them  so.  They  are  happy  means,  in 
the  hand  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  mortify  my 
corruptions,  to  subdue  my  pride,  my  passion. 


94  Psalm  cxix.  71,  72. 

my  inordinate  love  to  the  creature.  They 
soften  my  hard  heart,  bring  me  on  my  knees, 
exercise  and  increase  faith,  love,  humility,  and 
self-denial.  They  make  me  poor  in  spirit, 
and  nothing  in  my  own  eyes.  Welcome  the 
cross!  welcome  deep  adversity!  welcome 
stripping  providence!     With  Mr.  Mason, 

"  They  make  me  sing,  O  happy  rod, 
That  brought  me  nearer  to  my  God !" 

J.  Williams. 


Psalm  cxix.  71  (including  last  clause)  and  72. 

It  is  good  for  me  that  I  have  been  afflicted,  that  I 
might  learn  thy  statutes.  The  law  of  thy  mouth  is  bet- 
ter unto  me  than  thousands  of  gold  and  silver. 

It  is  far  better  to  learn  by  sufiering  to  de- 
light in  God's  word,  and  to  value  it  more  than 
thousands  of  gold  and  silver,  than  by  prospe- 
rity to  grow  callous  and  ripe  for  eternal  de- 
struction. But  how  dreadful  is  their  case, 
who  grow  hardened  in  sin  in  the  furnace  of 
affliction!  Let  us  then  still  beseech  our  God, 
who  is  good  and  doth  good,  to  teach  us  his 
statutes,  and  to  incline  our  hearts  to  the  exer- 
cise of  faith,  obedience,  and  submission  to  his 
holy  will. — Scott. 


Psalm  cxix.  71,  72.  95 

A  poor  woman,  from  the  north  of  England, 
went  with  her  family  to  seek  employment  in 
the  parish  of  St.  Mary-le-bone,  London.  The 
husband,  through  fatigue,  was  attacked  with  a 
bilious  fever;  the  disorder  soon  assumed  a 
very  malignant,  putrid  character,  of  which  he 
died.  Two  of  the  children  caught  the  infec- 
tion, and  died  also.  The  widow  was  reduced, 
with  her  surviving  children,  to  the  most  de- 
plorable poverty,  and  seemed  on  the  point  of 
starving.  In  this  situation  she  was  visited  by 
a  Christian,  who  observed  an  old  Bible,  with 
a  large  print,  lying  on  her  table.  He  said, 
"  I  perceive  you  can  read,  and  have  got  the 
best  of  books  by  you."  She  replied,  "  Oh, 
sir,  what  should  I  have  done  without  it?  It 
is  not  my  own.  My  eyes  with  illness,  anx- 
iety, and  tears,  are  too  weak  for  a  small  print: 
I  borrowed  this  Bible  of  a  neighbour.  It  has 
been  food  to  my  body  as  well  as  to  my  soul. 
I  have  often  passed  many  hours  without  any 
nourishment,  but  I  have  read  this  blessed  book, 
till  I  have  forgotten  my  hunger."  Some  time 
after  this  the  poor  woman  died,  literally  worn 
down  and  exhausted  with  want  and  anxiety; 
but  the  night  before  she  expired,  the  consola- 
tions of  the  holy  Scriptures  shone  in  her  coun- 


96  Psalm  cxix.  75. 

tenance.  She  spoke  of  her  dissolution  with 
a  smile  of  sacred  triumph;  enumerated  her 
pious  ancestors  and  acquaintance,  with  whom 
she  trusted  shortly  to  unite  in  joy  and  felici- 
ty; and  seemed,  as  it  were,  to  feel  the  saying 
brought  to  pass,  which  is  written,  "  Death  is 
swallowed  up  in  victory." 


Psalm  cxix.  75. 

In  faithfulness  thou  hast  afflicted  me. 

God  has  promised  he  will  withhold  no 
good  thing  from  his  people.  Now  he  sees 
and  knows  that  afflictions  are  good  for  them, 
good  for  their  souls;  his  daily  rod  is  as  good 
for  their  souls,  as  his  daily  bread  is  for  their 
bodies.  Therefore  he  brings  afflictions  on 
them,  and  so  makes  good  his  promise  to 
them!  Oh  believe  this,  "and  let  not  your 
heart  be  troubled.'^  Certainly  faith  acted  on 
God's  attributes  will  support  under  the  great- 
est trials,  and  most  grievous  losses.- — Bunyan. 

To  pretend  a  trust  in  God,  as  to  our  souls 
and  invisible  things,  and  not  to  resign  our 
temporal  affairs  with  patience  and  quietness  to 
his  disposal,  is  a  vain  pretence,  and  we  may 


Psalm  cxix.  75.  97 

take  hence  an  eminent  trial  of  our  faith:  too 
many  deceive  themselves  with  a  presumption 
of  faith,  in  the  promises  of  God,  as  to  things 
future,  and  things  divine;  but,  if  they  are 
brought  into  any  temporal  trials,  they  seem 
utter  strangers  to  the  life  of  faith.  It  was  not 
so  with  Abraham;  his  faith  acted  itself  uni- 
formly with  respect  to  the  providences,  as 
well  as  the  promises  of  God. — Dr.  Owen. 

It  becomes  a  saint  to  believe  the  faithful- 
ness of  God  to  him,  according  to  his  covenant, 
under  all  afflictions  and  chastisements.  Grace 
will  act  like  itself  at  last;  and  they  that  trust 
in  the  Lord,  shall  never  be  ashamed.  Though 
God  veil  his  grace,  and  give  us  mercies  on  the 
point  of  his  sword,  yet,  when  we  pass  through 
the  fire  and  the  water,  He  will  be  with  us. 
But  we  need  good  eyes  to  see  the  love  of 
God  when  we  are  compassed  with  fire  and 
water:  yet  it  is  there  that  a  gracious  soul  hath 
some  discerning  of  this  promise  in  the  midst 
of  them.  You  shall  not  perish,  because  I  will 
be  with  you.  How  boldly  may  a  saint  enter 
into  those  fires,  and  walk  through  the  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death,  and  fear  no  evil!  God 
cannot  hide  his  face,  his  love,  from  such  a  faith. 
A  tried  faith,  that  will  not  let  God  go,  nor  en- 
I 


98  Psalm  cxix.  83. 

tertain  an  unbelieving  thought  of  Him,  is  a 
precious  faith.  God  will  certainly  turn  back 
on  such  a  soul,  and  manifest  his  love  at  last  in 
a  glorious  manner. — Thomas  Cole. 


Psalm  cxix.  83. 


For  I  am  become  like  a  bottle  in  the  smoke,  yet  do  I 
not  forget  thy  statutes. 

Bottles  made  of  skins  would  shrivel  up, 
and  become  unsightly  and  useless,  by  hang- 
ing in  the  heat  and  smoke.  Thus  David 
seemed  to  himself  to  become  useless  and  des- 
picable, through  the  infirmities  of  age,  and 
his  manifold  trials  and  sufferings. — Scott. 

Whatever  our  outward  condition  is,  we  must 
not  cool  in  our  affection  to  the  word  of  God, 
nor  let  that  slip  out  of  our  minds;  no  care,  no 
grief,  must  crowd  that  out.  As  some  "  drink, 
and  forget  the  law,"  Prov.  xxxi.  5,  so  others 
weep,  and  forget  the  law;  but  we  must  in 
every  condition,  both  prosperous  and  adverse, 
have  the  things  of  God  in  remembrance;  and, 
if  we  be  mindful  of  God's  statutes,  we  may 
pray  and  hope  that  he  will  be  mindful  of  our 
sorrows,  though  for  a  time  he  seems  to  forget 
us. — M.  Henry. 


Psalm  cxix.  92.  99 

Psalm  cxix.  92. 

Unless  thy  law  had  been  my  delights,  1  should  then 
have  perished  in  mine  affliction. 

Afflictions  are  very  overwhelming  some- 
times, and  would  indeed  quite  sink  us,  if  the 
word  of  God  did  not  speak  comfort  to  us  in 
and  under  them.  It  is  a  sign  of  a  spiritual 
frame,  when,  in  the  midst  of  troubles  and 
afflictions,  we  can  find  present  delight  in  the 
word  of  God ;  but  when  afflictions  come,  and 
the  word  administers  no  comfort,  it  is  a  sign 
we  are  in  a  dead,  unbelieving  frame,  and  no 
way  affected  with  the  report  the  gospel  makes 
of  future  happiness. — Thomas  Cole. 

The  committee  of  a  benevolent  society  at 
Deptford,  formed  for  the  purpose  of  visiting 
and  relieving  the  sick  and  distressed,  having 
received  information  that  a  poor  aged  woman 
had  met  with  a  bodily  injury,  which  had  re- 
duced her  to  a  state  of  the  utmost  wretched- 
ness, sent  their  visiters  to  her.  They  went 
on  a  sharp  winter's  evening,  and  found  her 
lying  on  a  heap  of  rags,  not  deserving  the 
name  of  a  bed,  without  either  sheet  or  blanket, 
and  her  afflicted  body  covered  only  by  a  tat- 
tered silk  cloak,  and  a  ragged  bedquilt.     The 


100  Psalm  oxix.  92. 

window-panes  were  broken ;  she  had  no  fire, 
nor  any  money  to  purchase  fuel.  When  the 
visiters  expressed  their  concern  at  finding  her 
in  such  deep  affliction,  she  replied,  "  My  dis- 
tress is  indeed  great,  but  far  short  of  what  I 
deserve:  I  thank  God  that  it  is  no  worse,  and 
pray  for  resignation  to  his  will,  that  I  may 
suffer  without  murmuring."  Notwithstand- 
ing the  extreme  wretchedness  of  her  situation, 
she  appeared  serene,  and  even  cheerful;  and, 
on  being  requested,  gave  them  a  short  account 
of  her  former  life.  She  had  been  brought  up 
with  respectable  prospects,  and  received  a  suit- 
able education,  as  was  evident  from  the  gene- 
ral propriety  and  correctness  of  her  language. 
Until  her  fortieth  year,  she  had  lived  comfort- 
ably. After  that,  in  consequence  of  an  adverse 
change  in  her  circumstances,  she  opened  a  lit- 
tle school,  but  was  frequently  unable  to  pro- 
cure the  money  due  to  her;  and  was  at  length, 
from  ill  health  and  other  causes,  obliged  to  re- 
linquish that  employment.  For  a  considera- 
ble time  she  had  only  nine-pence  a  week  to 
support  her;  and,  during  the  last  three  years, 
she  had  subsisted  principally  on  what  she  had 
picked  up  in  the  streets,  and  at  fishmongers' 
stalls.     "  Three  weeks  ago,"  said  she,  "  I  met 


Psalm  cxxvi.  5.  101 

with  the  accident  which  now  confines  me; 
and  though,  during  the  time  I  have  been  thus 
confined,  I  have  been  destitute  of  most  of  the 
necessaries  of  life,  I  can  trust  in  my  heavenly 
Father!"  A  Bible,  which  she  had  received 
through  the  instrumentality  of  the  Deptford 
Bible  Association,  lay  on  her  tattered  bed. 
She  laid  her  hand  upon  it,  and  said,  "  At  six 
years  of  age  I  could  read  my  Bible,  but  I 
have  learned  more  from  it  during  this  afflic- 
tion, than  I  did  before  in  all  my  life.  Oh, 
what  a  treasure  is  the  word  of  God!"  The 
same  persons  frequently  visited  her  after- 
wards, and  uniformly  found  her  evincing  the 
same  resigned,  contented,  and  thankful  dispo- 
sition, the  same  tranquil  reliance  on  the  word 
of  God.  Her  Bible  always  appeared  to  fur- 
nish her  chief  support  and  consolation. 


Psalm  cxxvi.  5. 

They  that  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy. 

1.  A  joyful  harvest,  by  God's  blessing,  is 
the  natural  consequence  of  a  dropping  seed- 
time.    The  tears  of  godly  sorrow  water  the 
ground,  naturally  hard  and  dry,  and  promote 
i2 


102  Psalm  cxxvi.  5. 

the  springing  of  the  spiritual  seed.  "Tribu- 
lation," says  the  apostle,  and  the  apostle  had 
good  reason  to  know — "  Tribulation  worketh 
patience,  and  patience  experience,  and  expe- 
rience hope."  In  dry  weather,  weeds  are  not 
so  soon  discovered,  nor  so  easily  rooted  out, 
as  they  are  after  a  shower;  and  in  prosperity, 
corruptions  lie  more  unobserved,  and  are  with 
more  difficulty  subdued.  "Fools  make  a 
mock  of  sin;"  and  even  Christians  themselves, 
at  times,  do  not  feel  its  evil  and  malignancy 
so  deeply  as  they  ought.  So  far,  however, 
is  certain — and  we  need  not  quote  Scripture 
for  the  truth  of  it — that  grace  thrives  best  in 
a  weeping  heart,  and,  that  they  are  in  general 
the  most  lively  and  joyful  Christians,  who,  as 
to  outward  things,  have  tears  for  their  meat 
night  and  day.  But  if  this  should  be  disputed, 
and  the  great  advantages  of  affliction  should 
be  denied,  and  the  gloomy  Christian  should 
find  little  encouragement  to  hope  for  future 
comfort  from  present  appearances,  I  would 
add— 

2.  God,  who  cannot  lie,  hath  promised  it. 
"Light  is  sown  for  the  righteous,  and  glad- 
ness for  the  upright  in  heart."  "To  the 
upright  there  ariseth  light  in  the  darkness." 


Psalm  cxxvi.  5.  103 

"  Weeping  may  endure  for  a  night,  but  joy 
Cometh  in  the  morning."  ^'  Blessed  are  they 
that  mourn,  for  they  shall  be  comforted/' 
These,  and  a  multitude  of  like  promises,  hath 
God  given,  to  assure  us,  that  how  great  soever 
the  trials  and  distresses  of  his  people  may  be, 
they  shall,  sooner  or  later,  have  a  joyful  issue. 
And  hath  God  said  it,  and  shall  it  not  come 
to  pass?  Hath  he  promised,  and  will  he  not 
make  it  good?  Can  the  designs  of  Omnipo- 
tence be  defeated?  Sooner  shall  heaven  and 
earth  pass  away,  than  one  jot  or  tittle  of  what 
he  hath  said  pass  unfulfilled.  The  Lord  of 
the  harvest  hath  engaged  for  it.  He  who 
"  maketh  the  clouds  his  chariot,  who  walketh 
upon  the  wings  of  the  wind,"  and  doth  what 
he  pleases  in  heaven  and  earth,  so  that  "  none 
ever  hardened  himself  against  him  and  pros- 
pered;"— He  hath  declared,  that  "they  that 
sow  in  tears,  shall  reap  in  joy;"  that  he  will 
"  revive  the  spirit  of  the  humble,  and  cheer 
the  heart  of  the  contrite  ones;"  and  that  "the 
ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall  return,  and  come 
to  Zion  with  songs  and  everlasting  joy  upon 
their  heads;  and  sorrow  and  sighing  shall  flee 
away"  for  ever. — Lavington. 


104  Prov.  III.  11,  12. 

Proverbs,  iii.  11, 12. 

My  son,  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of  the  Lord  j 
neither  be  weary  of  his  correction  :  For  whom  the  Lord 
loveth  he  correcteth,  even  as  a  father  the  son  in  whom 
he  delighteth. 

The  apostle  explains  it,  '^  Neither  faint 
when  thou  art  corrected  of  him/^  Heb.  xii. 
5,6;  adding  a  most  powerful  argument  against 
these  extremes:  "For  whom  the  Lord  loveth 
he  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth  every  son  whom 
he  receiveth;"  and,  therefore,  despise  not  his 
fatherly  corrections,  slight  them  not,  for  they 
come  from  a  loving  Father,  a  wise  Father,  and 
should  not  be  despised  by  his  children,  be- 
cause they  are  the  fruits  of  his  love.  Also, 
you  must  not  be  weary  of  them,  nor  faint 
under  them,  for  the  same  reason,  namely,  be- 
cause they  shall  not  hurt  you ;  they  flow  from 
your  Father's  love,  who  delighteth  in  you, 
and  therefore  ye  ought  not  to  faint  under 
them. — BuNYAN. 

Amidst  his  wrath  compassion  shines, 
His  strokes  are  lighter  than  our  sins ; 
And  while  his  rod  corrects  his  saints, 
His  ear  indulges  their  complaints. 


Prov.  XI.  31.  105 

So  fathers  their  young  sons  chastise, 
With  gentle  hand  and  melting  eyes; 
The  children  weep  beneath  the  smart, 
And  move  the  pity  of  their  heart. 

Dk.  Watts. 


Proverbs,  xi.  31. 

Behold,  the  righteous  shall  be  recompensed  in  the 
earth  ;  much  more  the  wicked  and  the  sinner. 

God's  children  smart  under  their  sins  here 
in  the  world,  as  well  as  others.  The  righteous 
is  "recompensed  in  the  earth,"  that  is,  pu- 
nished for  his  sins.  Compare  with  it  1  Pet. 
iv.  18,  "And  if  the  righteous  scarcely  be 
saved,  where  shall  the  ungodly  and  the  sinner 
appear?"  God  punisheth  here  that  he  may 
spare  for  ever.  He  giveth  some  remembrance 
of  the  evil,  and  corrects  his  people,  not  to 
complete  their  justification,  or  to  make  more 
satisfaction  for  God's  justice  than  Christ  hath 
made;  but  to  promote  their  sanctification,  that 
is,  to  make  sin  bitter  to  them,  and  to  vindicate 
the  glory  of  God,  that  he  is  not  partial.  For 
these  reasons  they  are  even  brought  to  the 
dust  for  their  own  folly. — Dr.  Manton. 


106  Prov.  XIII.  1. 

Yes,  the  true  born  sons  of  heaven 
Feel  the  chastening  hand  of  God  ; 

Though  accepted  and  forgiven, 
Yet  they  need  their  Father's  rod ; 
Nor  if  they  should  bid  him  spare, 
Would  he  hearken  to  their  prayer. 

Full  of  pity,  full  of  kindness, 

Yet  he  makes  his  children  prove ; 

Nothing  of  parental  blindness 
Ever  mixes  with  his  love: 
When  the  rod  must  be  applied, 
Truth  and  wisdom  are  his  guide. 

Kelly. 


Proverbs,  xiii.  1. 
A   wise   son   heareth  his  father's   instruction:  but  a 
scorner  heareth  not  rebuke. 

"  Heareth'^  is  not  in  the  Hebrew,  which 
reads,  A  wise  son  is  the  instruction  or  chas- 
tisement of  his  father.  The  Jews  have  a  pro- 
verb— If  you  see  a  wise  child,  be  sure  that 
the  father  hath  chastised  him.  God  deals  in 
this  manner  with  his  children,  and  there  is 
need  of  it;  for  though  the  regenerate  are 
freed  from  the  slavery  of  sin,  yet,  while  they 
are   clothed   with   flesh,   the    flesh    will   lust 


Proverbs,  xvii.  17.  107 

against  the  spirit;  and  God  not  only  chastises 
us  for  our  infirmities,  but  to  prevent  them. 
And  since  the  love  which  he  bears  us,  and  the 
salvation  which  he  procures  by  his  chastise- 
ments, doth  infinitely  surpass  the  affections  of 
the  best  and  tenderest  fathers,  and  the  best 
fruit  we  can  draw  from  their  discipline;  we 
may  well  confess,  that  no  father  in  the  world 
can  be  said  to  deal  as  a  father  with  his  chil- 
dren, so  as  God  doth  with  the  believer.  He 
offers  himself  to  do  a  father's  office;  he  is  the 
world's  Sovereign,  but  a  believer's  Father;  as 
he  is  the  Governor  of  the  world,  he  treats 
men  righteously  in  his  judgments;  as  he  is 
the  Father  of  believers,  he  treats  them  gra- 
ciously in  his  afflictions. — Charnock. 

Father,  sanctify  the  rod, 
Dip  it  in  the  Saviour's  blood; 
Let  the  stripes  my  folly  heal. 
And  a  Father's  love  reveal. 

Berridge. 

Proverbs,  xvii.  17. 

A  friend  loveth  at  all  times,  and  a  brother  is  born  for 
adversity. 

Whenever  the  distressed  sinner  applies  for 


108  Proverbs,  xvm.  10. 

salvation  to  the  once  crucified,  but  now  glo- 
rious Redeemer,  he  communicates  to  him 
mercy,  and  grace,  and  peace;  and  he  is  the 
constant  and  condescending  Friend  and  Bro- 
ther of  every  believer,  in  the  lowest  scenes  of 
adversity,  in  the  hottest  fire  of  persecution,  in 
the  hour  of  death,  and  in  the  day  of  judg- 
ment.— T.  Scott. 

Poor,  weak,  and  worthless,  tho'  I  am, 
I  have  a  rich  Almighty  Friend ; 
Jesus,  the  Saviour,  is  his  name. 
He  freely  loves,  and  without  end. 

He  ransomed  me  from  hell  with  blood ; 
And,  by  his  power,  my  foes  controlled ; 
He  found  me  wandering  far  from  God, 
And  brought  me  to  his  chosen  fold. 

He  cheers  my  heart,  my  want  supplies, 
And  says  that  I  shall  shortly  be 
Enthroned  with  him  above  the  skies : 
Oh  !  what  a  friend  is  Christ  to  me  ! 

Newton. 


Proverbs,  xviii.  10. 

The  name  of  the  Lord  is  a  strong  tower ;  the  righteous 
runneth  into  it  and  is  safe. 

They  who  know  not  this  refuge  are  mise- 


Proverbs,  xxiv.  10.  109 

rable;  and  when  any  danger  arises,  they  run 
hither  and  thither,  "  they  fly  and  flutter  they 
know  not  whither."  The  life  of  man  upon 
earth  is  a  warfare;  and  it  is  much  better,  in 
the  midst  of  enemies  and  dangers,  to  be  ac- 
quainted with  one  fortress  than  with  many 
inns.  He  that  knows  how  to  pray  may  be 
pressed,  but  cannot  be  overwhelmed. — Abp. 
Leighton. 

The  God  of  Abram  praise, 
At  whose  supreme  command 
From  earth  I'd  rise,  and  seek  the  joys 
At  thy  right  hand : 

I'd  all  on  earth  forsake. 

Its  wisdom,  fame,  and  power; 

And  him  my  only  portion  make, 

My  shield  and  tower. 

Oliver. 

Proverbs,  xxiv.  10. 

If  thou  faint  in  the  day  of  adversity,  thy  strength  is 
small. 

When  afflictions  depress  a  man's  spirits, 
and  unfit  him  for  duty,  and  lead  him  to  ne- 
glect or  decline  it,  it  is  manifest  that  his  faith 
and  grace  are  weak,  and,  consequently,  he  is 

K 


110  ECCLES.  VII.   13. 

wanting  in  vigour  and  courage;  or,  that  he  is 
a  feeble  man,  not  fit  for  difficult  and  trying 
services  of  any  kind. — T.  Scott. 

When  the  Lord  afflicts,  it  is  his  design  that 
we  should  grieve;  but  in  this,  as  in  all  other 
things,  there  is  a  certain  moderation  which 
becomes  a  Christian,  and  which  only  grace 
can  teach;  and  grace  teaches  us,  not  by  books 
or  by  hearsay,  but  by  experimental  lessons: 
all  beyond  this  should  be  avoided,  and  guarded 
against  as  sinful  and  hurtful.  Grief,  when  in- 
dulged and  excessive,  preys  upon  the  spirits, 
injures  health,  indisposes  for  duty,  and  causes 
us  to  shed  tears,  which  deserve  more  tears. — 
Newton. 


EccLEs.  vii.  13. 

Consider  the  work  of  God:  for  who  can  make  that 
straight  which  he  hath  made  crooked? 

As  to  the  crook  in  thy  lot,  God  hath  made 
it;  and  it  must  continue  as  long  as  he  will 
have  it  so.  Shouldst  thou  ply  thine  utmost 
force  to  make  it  straight,  thine  attempt  will 
be  vain:  it  will  not  alter,  notwithstanding  all 
which  thou  canst  do:  only  He  who  made  it 
can  mend  it,  or  make  it  straight.     This  con- 


ECCLES.  VII.  14.  Ill 

sideration,  this  view  of  the  matter,  is  a  proper 
means,  at  once  to  silence  and  to  satisfy  men, 
and  so  to  bring  them  to  a  dutiful  submission 
to  their  Maker  and  Governor,  under  the  crook 
in  their  lot. — Boston. 

Since,  therefore,  we  cannot  mend  God's 
work,  we  ought  to  make  the  best  of  it. — M. 
Henry. 


EccLEs.  vii.  14. 
In  the  day  of  adversity  consider. 

Times  of  affliction  are  proper  times  for 
consideration;  then  God  calls  us  to  consider, 
Hag.  i.  5,  then,  if  ever,  we  are  disposed  to  it, 
and  no  good  will  be  gotten  by  the  affliction 
without  it.  We  cannot  answer  God's  end  in 
afflicting  us,  unless  we  consider  why  and 
wherefore  he  contends  with  us.  And  consi- 
deration is  necessary  also  to  our  comfort  and 
support  under  our  afflictions. — M.  Henry. 

In  all  cases  of  suffering,  the  people  of  God 
should  consider — 1.  God  wills  them  and  sends 
them:  now  the  will  of  God  is  perfectly  righ- 
teous, and  what  he  does  is  so  well  done,  that 
it  could  not  be  better  done.  2.  There  is  need 
of  them,  or  we  should   not  have  them.     3. 


112  ECCLES.  IX.  1. 

Their  number,  measure,  and  continuance  God 
determines;  and,  comparatively  speaking,  they 
are  but  for  a  moment.  4.  The  Lord  will  be 
sure  to  support  us  under  them.  5.  They  are 
not  too  many,  too  heavy,  nor  too  long,  as  Sa- 
tan would  have  them;  nor  too  few,  too  short, 
nor  too  light,  as  our  corrupt  natures  would 
have  them.  6.  Their  end  is  a  weight  of  glory, 
and  the  crown  that  attends  them  is  everlast- 
ing.— DODD. 


EccLEs.  ix.  1. 

No  man  knoweth  either  love  or  hatred  by  all  that  is 
before  him. 

God  doth  not  always  love  those  whom 
his  providence  preserves  in  health  and  ease. 
Such  a  conceit  proceeds  from  an  ignorance  of 
another  life,  and  too  great  a  valuation  of  the 
things  of  this  world.  Temporal  goods,  credit 
in  the  world,  outward  conveniences,  and  an 
uninterrupted  health,  are  effects  of  God's  pa- 
tience and  common  goodness,  but  not  of  his 
affection  and  choicest  love.  They  are  the 
marks  of  his  affection  when,  by  his  grace, 
they  are  made  means  to  conduct  us  to  a  bet- 
ter inheritance;  but  how  often  are  they  per- 


Isaiah,  i.  5,  113 

nicious  to  us,  by  reason  of  our  corruption  and 
ill  usage  of  them:  how  often  doth  the  health 
of  the  body  destroy  that  of  the  soul,  and  the 
prosperity  of  the  flesh  ruin  that  of  the  spirit! 
How  often  do  riches  and  honours  link  our 
hearts  to  the  earth,  and  expel  all  thoughts  of  a 
heavenly  paradise!  How  often  doth  a  por- 
tion in  this  world  make  many  slack  their  en- 
deavours for  a  portion  in  heaven !  How  of- 
ten do  they  hinder  our  sanctification,  which 
is  the  only  means  to  a  happy  vision  of  God! — 
Charnock. 

Not  to  my  wish,  but  to  my  wants, 

Do  thou  thy  gifts  apply  ; 
Unasked  what  good  thou  knowest  grant 

What  ill,  though  asked,  deny. 

Merrick. 

Isaiah,  i.  5. 

Why  should  ye  be  smitten  any  more  ?     Ye  will  revolt 
more  and  more. 

Where  God  refuses  to  correct,  there  God 
resolves  to  destroy;  there  is  no  man  so  near 
the  axe,  so  near  the  flames,  so  near  hell,  as  he 
whom  God  will  not  so  much  as  spend  a  rod 
upon.  God  is  most  angry  when  he  shows  no 
K  2 


114  Isaiah,  xii.  1. 

anger.  Jerome,  writing  to  a  sick  friend,  hath 
this  expression — "  I  account  it  a  part  of  unhap- 
piness  not  to  know  adversity;  I  judge  you  to 
be  miserable,  because  you  have  not  been  mi- 
serable." "  Nothing,"  saith  another,  "  seems 
more  unhappy  to  me  than  he  to  whom  no  ad- 
versity hath  happened."  God  afflicts  thee,  0 
Christian,  in  love;  and  therefore  Luther  cries 
out,  "  Strike,  Lord;  strike,  Lord;  and  spare 
not."  Who  can  seriously  muse  upon  this 
and  not  be  silent  under  the  most  smarting 
rod? — Brooks. 

Lord,  I  would  not  repine 

At  strokes  in  mercy  sent ; 
If  the  chastisement  comes  in  love, 

My  soul  shall  be  content. 

Beddome. 


Isaiah,  xii.  1. 
And  in  that  day  thou  shalt  say,  O  Lord,  I  will  praise 
thee :  though  thou  wast  angry  with  me,  thine  anger  is 
turned  away,  and  thou  comfortest  me. 

When  we  turn  from  God,  his  anger  is  turn- 
ed against  us;  and  when  we  turn  to  God,  his 
anger  is  turned  away  from  us.  When  the 
Lord  is  angry,  what  can  comfort  us,  but  the 


115 


turning  away  of  his  anger?  and  by  the  very 
act  of  turning  away  his  anger  he  comforts  us, 
though  all  the  world  be  angry  with  us. — 
Caryl. 

I  will  extol  thee,  Lord,  on  high ; 
At  thy  command  diseases  fly  ; 
Who  but  a  God  can  speak  and  save 
From  the  dark  borders  of  the  grave  ? 

Sing  to  the  Lord,  ye  saints  of  his. 
And  tell  how  large  his  goodness  is ; 
Let  all  your  powers  rejoice  and  bless 
While  you  record  bis  holiness. 

His  anger  but  a  moment  stays ; 
His  love  is  life  and  length  of  days ; 
Though  grief  and  tears  the  night  employ, 
The  morning  star  restores  the  joy. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Isaiah,  xxvi.  16. 

Lord,  in  trouble  have  they  visited  thee,  they  poured 
out  a  prayer  when  thy  chastening  was  upon  them. 

Our  prayers  did  but  drop  out  before,  now 
they  are  poured  out;  and  one  work  of  heart 
does  so  follow  another,  that  there  is  no  inter- 
mission, it  is  all  but  one  prayer  they  have 


116  Isaiah,  xxxiii.  24. 

poured  out — not  prayers,  but  a  prayer.  This 
prayer  now  is  not  an  empty  thing,  but  full  of 
efficacy,  containing  much  in  a  few  words. 
The  graces  of  God's  Spirit  are  the  most  lovely 
things  in  the  world  in  God's  eyes,  and,  there- 
fore, God  delights  much  to  'see  the  exercise 
of  them.  When  spices  are  beaten,  then  they 
send  forth  their  fragrant  smell ;  so  when  God's 
servants  are  in  affliction,  then  their  graces 
send  forth  their  sweetness  in  the  activeness  of 
them.  When  the  box  is  broken,  and  the  pre- 
cious ointment  is  poured  forth,  then  it  sends 
forth  its  delightful  savour;  so  when  the  heart 
is  broken  with  affliction,  and  the  grace  is 
poured  forth,  then  the}^  give  a  smell  sweet  to 
God  and  men.— Burroughs. 

Arise,  my  soul,  from  deep  distress, 

And  banish  every  fear ; 
He  calls  thee  to  his  throne  of  grace, 

To  spread  thy  sorrows  there. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Isaiah,  xxxiii.  24. 

And  the  inhabilants  shall  not  say,  I  am  sick :  the  people 
that  dwell  therein,  shall  be  forgiven  their  iniquity. 

When  sin  is  pardoned,  outward  afflictions 


Isaiah,  xxxiii.  24.  117 

are  not  worth  complaining  of.  The  inhabitant 
shall  not  say  "  I  am  sick;"  a  disease  then  be- 
comes a  medicine,  when  pardon  hath  taken 
away  the  curse  and  punishment  of  it.  God 
hath  two  ends,  with  respect  of  himself,  for 
which  he  brings  punishments  upon  us:  the 
one  is  the  manifestation  of  his  holiness;  the 
other  is  for  the  satisfaction  of  his  justice.  If 
the  latter,  then  thy  afflictions  are  properly 
punishments,  and  they  flow  from  the  curse  of 
the  law;  but  if  the  manifestation  of  his  holi- 
ness be  all  he  intends  by  them,  then  are  they 
only  fatherly  corrections,  proceeding  from 
love  and  mercy. — Bp.  Hopkins. 

Thou  only  centre  of  my  rest, 
Look  down  with  pitying  eye, 

While  with  protracted  pain  opprest, 
I  breathe  the  plaintive  sigh. 

Thy  gracious  presence,  O  my  God, 
.  My  every  wish  contains ; 
With  this  beneath  affliction's  load, 
My  heart  no  more  complains. 

Steele. 


118  Isaiah,  xxxviii.  9. 

Isaiah,  xxxviii.  9. 
The  writing  of  Hezekiah  king  of  Judah,  when  he  had 
been  sick,  and  was  recovered  of  his  sickness. 

There  are  writings  which  it  is  proper  for 
us  to  draw  up  after  we  have  been  sick,  and 
are  recovered.  It  is  good  to  write  a  memorial 
of  the  affliction,  and  of  the  frame  of  our  hearts 
under  it:  to  keep  a  record  of  the  thoughts  we 
had  of  things  when  we  were  sick,  the  affec- 
tions that  were  then  working  in  us:  to  write 
a  niemorial  of  the  mercies  of  a  sick-bed,  and 
of  our  release  from  it,  that  they  may  never  be 
forgotten:  to  write  a  thanksgiving  to  God, 
write  a  sure  covenant  with  him,  and  seal  it; 
give  it  under  our  hands,  that  we  never  return 
again  to  folly.  It  is  an  excellent  writing 
which  Hezekiah  left  upon  his  recovery;  and 
.yet  we  find,  2  Chron.  xxxii.  25,  that  "  he  ren- 
dered not  again  according  to  the  benefit  done 
unto  him."  The  impressions,  one  would  have 
thought,  should  never  have  worn  off;  and  yet, 
it  seems,  they  did.  Thanksgiving  is  good,  but 
thanks-living  is  better. — M.  Henry. 

And  live  I  yet  by  power  Divine ! 
And  have  I  still  my  course  to  run ! 


Isaiah,  xxxviii.  12.  119 

Again  brought  back,  in  its  decline, 
The  shadow  of  my  parting  sun ! 

Jesus  to  my  deliverance  flew. 
When  sunk  in  mortal  pangs  I  lay  ; 
Pale  death,  his  ancient  conqueror  knew, 
And  trembled,  and  ungrasped  his  prey. 

God  of  my  life,  what  just  return 
Can  sinful  dust  and  ashes  give? 
I  only  live  my  sin  to  mourn ; 
To  love  my  God  I  only  live  ! 

Be  all  my  added  life  employed 
Thy  image  in  my  soul  to  see : 
Fill  with  thyself  the  mighty  void  ; 
Enlarge  my  heart  to  compass  thee. 

Charles  Wesley. 


Isaiah,  xxxviii.  12. 

Mine  age  is  departed,  and  is  removed  from  me  as  a 
shepherd's  tent:  I  have  cut  off  like  a  weaver  my  life:  he 
will  cut  me  off  with  pining  sickness :  from  day  even  to 
night  wilt  thou  make  an  end  of  me. 

When  we  are  sick  we  are  very  apt  to  be 
calculating  our  time;  and,  after  all,  we  are 
still  at  uncertainty.  It  should  be  more  our 
care  how  we  shall  get  safe  to  another  world, 


120  Isaiah,  xxxviii.  14. 

than  how  long  we  are  likely  to  live  in  this 
world. — M.  Henry. 

The  man  whose  pious  heart  is  fixed 

On  his  all-gracious  God, 
From  ev'ry  frown  may  draw  a  joy. 

And  kiss  the  chastening  rod. 

Nor  him  shall  death  Itself  alarm ; 

On  heaven  the  soul  relies ; 
With  joy  he  views  his  maker's  love, 

And  with  composure  dies. 

Heginbotham. 


Isaiah,  xxxviii.  14. 

O  Lord,  I  am  oppressed,  undertake  for  me. 

Such  is  the  language  of  every  afflicted  saint. 
Though  strength  be  gone,  and  speech  falters, 
though  pain  corrodes,  and  rest  is  departed,  he 
desires  to  lift  up  his  heart  to  God.  ^'  I  own," 
says  he,  "that  I  deserve  thy  chastisement, 
but  I  implore  thy  mercy.  Thou  canst  wound, 
and  thou  alone  canst  heal;  thou  bringest  low, 
and  thou  liftest  up.  Forgive  all  the  sins  I 
have  committed.  Sanctify  the  means  made 
use  of  for  the  restoration  of  my  health.  Raise 
me  up,  and  make  the  remembrance  of  the 


Isaiah,  xxxviii.  14.  121 

affliction  a  blessing.  Let  it  be  seen  in  my 
family,  in  the  church,  in  society  at  large,  that 
I  have  profited  by  this  indisposition.  But 
should  it  be  unto  death!  0  enter  not  into 
judgment  with  me;  blot  out  my  transgres- 
sions, and  give  me  an  abundant  entrance  into 
the  everlasting  kingdom  of  my  Lord  and  Sa- 
viour Jesus  Christ.^' — Buck. 

Patience  doth  not  stifle  all  modest  com- 
plaints and  moderate  sorrow.  A  patient  Chris- 
tian may  be  well  allowed  this  vent  for  his 
grief  to  work  out  at.  Grace  never  destroys, 
but  only  regulates  and  corrects  nature.  It 
will  permit  thee  to  complain  of  what  thou  suf- 
ferest,  so  long  as  it  keeps  thee  from  complain- 
ing of  that  God,  from  whom  thou  sufferest. 
Thou  mayest  lawfully,  without  any  wrong 
done  to  patience,  express  thy  grief  in  all  the 
outward  and  natural  signs  of  it,  only  beware, 
lest  this  agitation  make  it  exceed  its  due 
bounds  and  measures. — Bishop  Hopkins. 

0  Lord,  leave  me  not,  poor  and  helpless 
sinner  that  I  am,  in  my  most  healthful  state; 
leave  me  not  especially,  I  beseech  thee,  in  the 
low,  the  languid,  the  distressing  circumstances 
of  infirmity  and  disease!  Jesus,  Master,  thou 
art  said  to  have  borne  our  sicknesses,  because 

L 


122  Isaiah,  xxxviii.  16. 

thou  bearest  the  sins  which  occasioned  them; 
lake,  take  away  from  my  conscience  the  guilt 
which  brought  disease,  and  then  the  worst 
part  of  its  misery  shall  likewise  be  done 
away.  And  when,  through  my  feebleness  or 
disorder,  I  cannot  act  faith  upon  thy  love,  0 
catch  my  drooping  spirit,  carry  me  as  one  of^ 
thine  own  lambs  in  thy  bosom,  enfold  me  in 
thy  gracious  arms,  and  let  my  soul  wholly 
commit  itself,  and  give  up  its  all,  in  quiet  re- 
signation to  thee!  If  thou  raise  me  from  my 
sickness,  grant  that  it  may  be  for  the  setting 
forth  of  thy  glory  among  men:  if  thou  take 
me  by  sickness  from  this  world,  0  thou  Hope 
and  Life  of  my  soul,  receive  me  to  thyself  for 
my  everlasting  happiness,  and  present  me  as 
another  monument  of  sovereign  grace  before 
the  great  assembly  of  saints  and  angels  in  thy 
kingdom  of  heaven! — Serle. 


Isaiah,  xxxviii.  16. 

Thou  wilt  recover  me. 

And  God  did  so.  This  is  not  always  the 
case.  Sickness  to  some,  yea,  to  many,  is  the 
messenger,  the  forerunner,  the  beginning  of 


Isaiah,  xxxviii.  16.  123 

death.  And  Hezekiah's  sickness  seems  to 
have  been  in  itself  mortal,  and  would  have  is- 
sued in  his  speedy  dissolution,  but  for  the  Di- 
vine interposition:  he  "was  sick  nigh  unto 
death;"  and  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  "Set 
thine  house  in  order,  for  thou  shalt  die  and 
not  live."  But  he  was  the  subject  of  recover- 
ing mercy. 

It  was  in  answer  to  prayer.  "  Then  Heze- 
kiah  turned  his  face  toward  the  wall,  and 
prayed  unto  the  Lord,  and  said,  Remember 
now,  0  Lord,  I  beseech  thee,  how  I  have 
walked  before  thee  in  truth,  and  with  a  per- 
fect heart,  and  have  done  that  which  is  good 
in  thy  sight.  And  Hezekiah  wept  sore." 
One  of  the  designs  of  affliction  is  to  bring  us 
to  God;  and  by  prayer  we  obtain  support  un- 
der it,  and  sanctification  by  it,  and  deliverance 
from  it.  "  Call  upon  me,  in  the  day  of  trou- 
ble, and  I  will  deliver  thee."  And  did  any 
ever  seek  him  in  vain  ?  Did-Hezekiah  ?  So 
far  from  it,  and  to  show  how  quickly  prayer 
reaches  God,  and  brings  down  the  blessing, 
before  Isaiah  could  get  through  the  palace-^ 
yard,  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  him,  say- 
ing, "  Go,  and  say  to  Hezekiah,  I  have  heard 
thy  prayer,  I  have  seen  thy  tears."     Thus  he 


124  Isaiah,  xxxviii.  16. 

riot  only  hears  and  answers  prayer,  but  fulfils 
the  word,  "Before  they  call  I  will  answer, 
and  while  they  speak,  I  will  hear.'' 

The  second  circumstance  was  the  definite 
prolongation  of  his  life.  "  Behold,  I  will  add 
unto  thy  days  fifteen  years."  This  was  a 
considerable  reprieve;  yet  it  was  nothing 
more.  For  so  long  a  time  he  w^as  raised  up, 
but  he  was  left  mortal.  The  sentence,  "  Dust 
thou  art,  and  unto  dust  shalt  thou  return," 
was  only  suspended.  Have  any  of  you  been 
recovered  from  the  bed  of  sickness?  Re- 
member you  are  dying  creatures  still,  and 
you  have  no  assurance  of  your  life.  You 
know  not  what  a  day,  or  an  hour,  may  bring 
forth.  The  addition  of  fifteen  years  would 
not  make  Hezekiah  an  old  man,  and  they 
would  soon  pass  away  like  a  dream.  He  is  the 
only  person  who  was  previously  informed 
how  long  he  had  to  live.  Doubtless  he  was  con- 
cerned to  improve  the  information,  and  would 
often  say,  "  Well,  there  is  another  of  the  fif- 
teen years  gone,  and  the  remainder  is  rapidly 
going.  So  teach  me  to  number  my  days,  that 
I  may  apply  my  heart  unto  wisdom."  Yet  it 
was  awful  for  him  to  know  the  term  of  life. 
None  of  us  would  know  it  if  it  were  in  our 


Isaiah,  xxxviii.  19.  125 

power.  It  is  better  for  our  comfort  to  be  ig- 
norant, and  it  is  better  for  our  improvement. 
As  the  shade  upon  the  dial  is  useful,  as  well 
as  the  sunshine,  so  our  ignorance  may  be  ren- 
dered profitable.  "  Watch,  for  ye  know  not 
at  what  hour  the  Lord  doth  come." — Jay. 

Long  as  I  live  beneath, 

To  thee  O  let  me  live ; 

To  thee,  my  every  breath, 

In  thanks  and  blessings  give; 
Me  to  thine  image  now  restore, 
And  I  shall  praise  thee  evermore. 

Charles  Wesley. 


Isaiah,  xxxviii.  19. 

The  living,  the  living,  he  shall  praise  thee  as  I  do  this 
day. 

They  may  do  it,  they  have  an  opportunity 
of  praising  God,  and  that  is  the  main  thing 
that  makes  life  valuable  and  desirable  to  a 
good  man.  Hezekiah  was  therefore  glad  to 
live,  not  that  he  might  continue  to  enjoy  his 
royal  dignity,  and  the  honour  and  pleasure  of 
his  late  successes,  but  that  he  might  continue 
to  praise  God:  they  live  in  vain  if  they  do 
L  2 


126  Isaiah,  xxxviii.  19. 

not.  They  that  have  been  dying,  and  yet  are 
living,  whose  life  is  life  from  the  dead,  are,  in 
a  special  manner,  obliged  to  praise  God,  as 
being  most  sensibly  aflfected  with  his  good- 
ness. Hezekiah,  for  his  part,  being  recovered 
from  this  sickness,  will  make  it  his  business 
to  praise  God.  "  1  do  it  this  day,^'  let  others 
do  it  in  like  manner.  They  that  give  good 
exhortations  should  set  good  examples,  and 
do  themselves  what  they  expect  from  others. 
M.  Henry. 

O,  bless  the  Lord,  my  soul ! 
His  grace  to  thee  proclaim: 
And  all  that  is  within  me  join 
To  bless  his  holy  name. 

O,  bless  the  Lord,  my  soul ! 
His  mercies  bear  in  mind ; 
Forget  not  all  his  benefits, 
The  Lord  to  thee  is  kind. 

He  will  not  always  chide ; 
He  will  with  patience  wait : 
His  wrath  is  ever  slow  to  rise. 
And  ready  to  abate. 

He  pardons  all  thy  sins. 
Prolongs  thy  feeble  breath ; 


Isaiah,  xxxviii.  22.  127 

He  healeth  thine  infirmities, 
And  ransoms  thee  from  death. 

Christian  Psalmist. 


Isaiah,  xxxviii.  22. 

Hezekiah  also  had  said,  What  is  the  sign  that  I  shall 
go  up  to  the  house  of  the  Lord  ? 

There  to  honour  God,  to  keep  up  his  ac- 
quaintance and  communion  with  him,  and  to 
encourage  others  to  serve  him.  It  is  taken 
for  granted,  that  if  God  should  restore  him  to 
health,  he  would  presently  go  up  to  the  tem- 
ple with  his  thank-offerings;  there  Christ 
found  the  impotent  man  whom  he  had  healed, 
John,  V.  14.  The  exercises  of  religion  are  so 
much  the  business  and  delight  of  a  good  man, 
that  to  be  restrained  from  them  is  the  greatest 
grievance  of  his  afflictions,  and  to  be  restored 
to  them  is  the  greatest  comfort  of  his  deliver- 
ances. Let  my  soul  live,  and  it  shall  praise 
thee. — M.  Henry. 

My  God  has  saved  my  soul  from  death, 

And  dried  my  falling  tears ; 
Now  to  his  praise  I'll  spend  my  breath, 

And  my  remaining  years. 

Dr.  Watts. 


128  Isaiah,  xliii.  2. 

Isaiah,  xliii.  2. 

When  thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  be  with 
thee ;  and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not  overflow 
thee  :  when  thou  walkest  through  the  fire,  thou  shalt  not 
be  burned  ;  neither  shall  the  flame  kindle  upon  thee. 

It  cannever  be  ill  with  that  man  with  whom 
God  is.  It  is  infinitely  more  to  say,  "  I  will 
be  with  thee/'  than  to  say,  "  Peace  is  with 
thee,  health  is  with  thee,  credit  is  with  thee, 
honour  is  with  thee."  To  say,  "  God  is  with 
thee,"  is  all  these,  and  infinitely  more.  For 
in  these  you  have  but  a  particular  good,  in 
God  you  have  all  good.  When  God  says, 
*<  I  will  be  with  you,"  you  may  make  what 
you  will  out  of  it;  sit  down  and  imagine  with 
yourselves  whatsoever  good  you  can  desire, 
and  it  is  all  comprehended  in  this  one  word, 
"  I  will  be  with  thee."  Now  God,  who  is 
with  the  righteous  at  all  times,  is  most  with 
them  in  worst  times;  then  he  says  in  a  special 
sense,  "  I  will  be  with  thee." — Caryl. 

While  in  affliction's  fijrnace. 
And  passing  through  the  fire. 
Thy  love  we  praise,  which  tries  our  ways, 
And  ever  brings  us  nigher. 


Isaiah,  xlviii.  10.  129 

We  clap  our  hands  exulting 
In  thine  AUiiighty  favour ; 
The  love  Divine,  which  made  us  thine, 
Shall  keep  us  thine  for  ever. 

Thou  dost  conduct  thy  people 
Through  torrents  of  temptation; 
Nor  will  we  fear,  whilst  thou  art  near, 
The  fire  of  tribulation. 


Isaiah,  xlviii.  10. 
I  have  chosen  thee  in  the  furnace  of  affliction. 

That  is,  made  thee  a  choice  one,  by  the 
good  which  affliction  has  done  thee,  and  then 
designed  thee  for  great  things.  Many  have 
been  brought  home  to  God  as  chosen  vessels, 
and  a  good  work  of  grace  been  begun  in 
them,  in  the  furnace  of  affliction.  Affliction 
is  no  bar  to  God's  choice,  but  subservient  to 
his  purpose. — M.  Henry. 

My  God,  permit  a  creeping  worm  to  say. 
Thy  Spirit  knows  I  love  thee.     Worthless  wretch. 
To  dare  to  love  a  God !     But  grace  requires, 
And  grace  accepts.    Thou  seest  my  labouring  soul, 
Weak  as  my  zeal  is,  yet  my  zeal  is  true; 


130  Isaiah,  lvii.  16. 

It  bears  the  trying  furnace.     Love  Divine 
Constrains  me;  I  am  thine.     Incarnate  Love 
Has  seized,  and  holds  me  in  almighty  arms. 
Here's  my  salvation,  my  eternal  hope. 
Amidst  the  wreck  of  worlds,  and  dying  nature, 
I  am  the  Lord's,  and  he  for  ever  mine ! 

Dr.  Watts. 


Isaiah,  lvii.  16. 

For  I  will  not  contend  for  ever,  neither  will  I  be  al- 
ways wroth ;  for  the  spirit  should  fail  before  me,  and  the 
souls  which  I  have  made. 

Consider  that  your  affliction,  however  heavy 
it  be,  will  soon  have  an  end.  The  goldsmith 
will  not  let  his  gold  lie  longer  in  the  furnace 
than  it  is  purified.  The  wicked  have  a  sea  of 
wrath  to  drink:  but,  0  drooping  believer, 
take  comfort,  you  have  but  a  cup  of  affliction, 
which  will  soon  be  exhausted.  The  time  is 
near  when  all  thy  trials  shall  have  an  end:  in 
heaven  there  is  no  cross,  no  complaint,  no 
tears,  nor  sorrows  for  ever. — Willison. 

What  are  a  few  days  of  sorrow?  What  do 
these  afflictions  tend  to,  and  effect?  Do  they 
not  work  out  an  exceeding  weight  of  glory? 
Are  you  not  by  them  made  partakers  of  His 


Isaiah,  lxiii.  9.  131 

holiness?  Is  not  this  all  the  fruit  to  take  away 
your  sins?  What!  and  be  impatient  at  this! 
fret  and  repine,  because  God  is  this  way  per- 
fecting your  happiness!  See  how  you  are 
shamed  by  other  Christians,  perhaps  such  as 
never  made  a  profession  as  you  have  done; 
yet  can  not  only  bear  the  afflictive  hand  of 
God,  but  are  actually  blessing,  and  praising, 
and  admiring  God  under  their  troubles! 

Look  yonder,  to  a  company  of  wicked, 
graceless  wretches,  who  murmur,  repine,  and 
mix  sin  with  their  affliction;  will  you  be  like 
them? — Flavel. 


Isaiah,  lxiii.  9. 

In  all  their  affliction  he  was  afflicted. 

Not  that  the  Eternal  Mind  is  capable  of 
grieving,  or  God's  infinite  blessedness  of  suf- 
fering the  least  damage  or  diminution.  God 
cannot  be  afflicted ;  but  thus  he  is  pleased  to 
show  forth  the  love  and  concern  he  has  for  his 
people  in  their  affliction.  This  is  a  matter  of 
great  comfort  to  God's  people  in  their  af- 
fliction, that  God  is  so  far  from  afflicting  wil- 
lingly, that  if  they  humble  themselves  under 


132  Isaiah,  lxiij.  9. 

his  hand,  he  is  afflicted  in  their  affliction,  as 
the  tender  parents  are  in  the  severe  operations 
which  the  case  of  a  sick  child  calls  for.  There 
is  another  reading  of  these  words  in  the  ori- 
ginal: "In  all  their  affliction  there  was  no 
affliction;"  though  they  were  in  great  afflic- 
tion, yet  the  property  of  it  was  altered,  by  the 
grace  of  God  sanctifying  it  to  them  for  their 
good,  the  rigour  of  it  was  so  mitigated,  and  it 
was  so  allayed  and  balanced  with  mercies, 
they  were  so  wonderfully  supported  and  com- 
forted under  it,  and  it  proved  so  short,  and 
ended  so  well,  that  it  was,  in  effect,  no  afflic- 
tion. The  troubles  of  the  saints  are  not  that 
to  them  which  they  are  to  others;  they  are 
not  afflictions,  but  medicines;  they  are  enabled 
to  call  them  "  light,'^  and  but  "  for  a  moment," 
and  with  an  eye  to  heaven  as  all  in  all,  to 
make  nothing  of  them. — M.  Henry. 

Christ's  exalted  state  in  glory  does  not 
make  him  neglectful  of  poor  sinners,  nor 
scornful  to  them.  No,  he  has  the  same  heart 
in  heaven  that  he  had  on  earth;  he  went 
through  all  the  temptations,  dejections,  sor- 
rows, and  desertions;  he  drank  the  bitterness 
of  the  cup,  and  left  the  sweet.  The  condemna- 
tion is  out;  he  drank  up  all  the  Father's  wrath 


Jeremiah,  v.  3.  133 

at  one  draught,  and  nothing  but  salvation  is 
left  for  thee! — Dr.  Crisp. 


Jeremiah,  v.  3. 

O  Lord,  are  not  thine  eyes  upon  the  truth  ?  Thou  hast 
stricken  them,  but  they  have  not  grieved;  thou  hast  con- 
sumed them,  but  they  have  refused  to  receive  correction  : 
they  have  made  their  faces  harder  than  a  rock;  they  have 
refused  to  return. 

We  have  whole  quarries  of  such  obdurate 
wretches  amongst  us;  this  impenitent  disre- 
gard of  God's  hand  is  a  dreadful  presage  of 
future  and  more  heavy  judgments.  Who  ever 
hardened  himself  against  the  Lord  and  pros- 
pered? Do  we  provoke  the  Lord  to  jealousy? 
Are  we  stronger  than  he?  The  most  refrac- 
tory he  can  compel  to  acknowledge,  with  bitter 
lamentations,  his  wickedness  and  weakness, 
how  unable  he  is  to  contend  with  his  Judge. 
But,  supposing  a  respite  from  punishment 
here,  there  is  a  hell  prepared  for  stubborn 
sinners,  where  is  weeping  and  wailing  for 
ever.  W^hom  the  rods  do  not  awaken,  the 
scorpions  shall. — Dr.  Bates. 

God  will  have  us  to  feel  his  hand,  to  inquire 
into  the  meaning  of  the  rod,  and  search  for 


134  Jeremiah,  ix.  7. 

those  sins  that  have  provoked  him  to  smite 

us. WiLLISON. 


Jeremiah,  ix.  7. 

Therefore  thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  Behold,  I  will 
melt  them  and  try  them  }  for  how  shall  I  do  for  the 
daughter  of  my  people  ? 

What  other  course  can  I  take  but  this,  ac- 
cording to  the  nature  of  man!  The  goldsmith 
hath  no  other  way  to  separate  the  dross  from 
the  metal,  but  by  melting  it  down;  and,  when 
the  impurities  of  God's  people  necessitate  him 
to  this  proceeding,  he  sits  as  a  refiner,  he 
watches  for  the  purifying  of  the  silver,  not 
for  his  own  profit,  as  the  goldsmith,  but  out  of 
a  care  of  them,  and  good  will  to  them,  as 
himself  speaks,  "  I  have  refined  thee,  but  not 
with  silver;"  or,  as  some  read  it,  "  not  for 
silver." — Charnock. 

When  you  see  a  refiner  cast  his  gold  into 
the  furnace,  do  you  think  he  is  angry  with 
the  gold,  and  means  to  cast  it  away?  No. 
He  sits  as  a  refiner.  He  stands  warily  over 
the  fire,  and  over  the  gold,  and  looks  to  it, 
that  not  one  grain   be   lost.     And  when  the 


Jeremiah,  x.  24.  135 

dross  is  severed,  he  will  out  with  it  presently; 
it  shall  be  no  longer  there. — Dr.  Crisp. 

Takes  God  delight  in  human  weakness,  then? 
What  glory  reaps  he  from  afflicted  men  ? 
The  Spirit  gone,  can  flesh  and  blood  endure  ? 
God  burns  his  gold,  to  make  his  gold  more  pure. 

QUARLES. 


Jeremiah,  x.  24. 

O  Lord,  correct  me,  but  with  judgment;  not  in  thine 
anger,  lest  thou  bring  me  to  nothing. 

We  cannot  pray  in  faith  that  we  may  never 
be  corrected,  while  we  are  conscious  to  our- 
selves that  we  need  it,  and  deserve  it,  and 
know  that  as  many  as  God  loves  he  chastens. 
The  great  thing  we  should  dread  in  affliction, 
is  the  wrath  of  God.  Say  not,  "  Lord,  do 
not  correct  me,"  but,  "  Lord,  do  not  correct 
me  in  anger,"  for  that  will  infuse  wormwood 
and  gall  into  the  affliction  and  misery;  that 
will  bring  us  to  nothing:  we  may  bear  the 
smart  of  his  rod,  but  we  cannot  bear  the 
weight  of  his  wrath. — M.  Henry. 

Our  heavenly  Father  must  correct 
A  well-beloved  child; 


136  Jeremiah,  xii.  1. 

Or  sure  he  would  his  will  reject, 
And  wanton  grow,  and  wild. 

O  Father,  make  thy  love  appear, 

And  every  doubt  remove. 

By  whispering  in  the  sick  child's  ear, 

"  I  smite  because  I  love." 

Berridge. 

♦ 

Jeremiah,  xii.  1. 
Righteous  art  thou,  O  Lord,  when  I  plead  with  thee; 
yet  let  me  talk  with  thee  of  thy  judgments. 

We  are  to  own  God's  justice  in  all  his  dis- 
pensations, and  in  the  evils  he  inflicts.  We 
must  not  look  upon  his  sovereignty  as  the 
exercise  of  mere  power;  but  consider  it,  as  it 
always  is,  in  connexion  w^th  the  greatest  jus- 
tice and  equity.  He  never  punishes  but  for 
sin,  and  never  further  than  our  sins  deserve 
and  need.  This  we  must  receive  as  a  prin- 
ciple, and  lay  as  a  foundation  of  all  our  inter- 
course with  God  in  his  providence. — Ben- 
jamin Bennet. 

Glory  to  the  righteous  God, 

Righteous,  yet  benign  to  me! 
Still  in  his  paternal  rod 

His  paternal  love  I  see. 


Jeremiah,  xxii.  21.  137 

Let  him  tenderly  chastise, 

Let  him  graciously  reprove, 
Father,  all  within  me  cries. 

All  thy  ways  are  truth  and  love. 

Charles  Wesley. 


Jeremiah,  xxii.  21. 

I  spake  unto  thee  in  thy  prosperity ;  but  thou  saidst,  I 
will  not  hear. 

The  noise  and  bustle  of  successful  business, 
or  intoxicating  pleasure,  drown  the  voice  of 
God  and  conscience.  At  such  a  time  we  live, 
as  it  were,  constantly  abroad,  and  are  stran- 
gers to  what  passes  at  home.  But  when  trou- 
ble or  sickness  comes,  and  shuts  us  up  in  our 
own  houses,  and  we  are  obliged  to  spend  many 
hours  alone,  w^e  cannot  help  reflecting:  and 
then  conscience,  w^hich  had  winked  at  our 
faults  before,  or,  at  least,  had  not  reproved  us 
for  them  as  it  ought,  now  puts  us  in  mind  of 
this  and  the  other,  and  a  multitude  of  sins,  that 
we  had  committed  in  those  days  of  thoughtless 
dissipation,  and  sets  them  home  with  such  a 
reproaching  vehemence  as  fills  us  with  shame 
and  anguish.  Joseph's  brethren,  when  they 
were  accused  as  spies,  and  threatened  to  be 
M  2 


138  Jeremiah,  XXII.  21. 

severely  dealt  with,  "  said  one  to  another, 
We  are  verily  guilty  concerning  our  brother, 
in  that  we  saw  the  anguish  of  his  soul  when 
he  besought  us,  and  we  would  not  hear:  there- 
fore is  this  distress  come  upon  us,"  Gen. 
xlii.  21;  though  we  do  not  find  that  they  ever 
had  one  relenting  thought  before.  So  the 
widow  mentioned  in  1  Kings,  xvii.  18,  when 
her  son  was  seized  with  a  sudden  and  fatal 
sickness,  said  to  Elijah,  "  What  have  I  to  do 
with  thee,  0  thou  man  of  God?  Art  thou 
come  unto  me  to  call  my  sin  to  remembrance, 
and  to  slay  my  son?"  Under  a  smarting  rod, 
guilt  that  had  lain,  for  weeks,  perhaps  for 
years,  without  giving  the  least  disturbance, 
now  starts  up,  and  strikes  home.  Job,  when 
his  body  was  full  of  sores,  was  made  to  "  pos- 
sess the  iniquities  of  his  youth;"  and  David, 
in  the  midst  of  great  outward  affliction,  makes 
this  the  heaviest  part  of  his  complaint;  "  For 
innumerable  evils  have  compassed  me  about; 
mine  iniquities  have  taken  hold  upon  me,  so 
that  I  am  not  able  to  look  up:  they  are  more 
than  the  hairs  of  my  head;  therefore  my 
heart  faileth  me,"  Psa.  xl.  12.  But  no  sooner 
had  he  confessed  his  transgression  to  the  Lord, 
and  the  Lord  had  forgiven  the  iniquity  of  his 


Lamentations,  hi.  1.  130 

sin,  than  presently  he  seemed  to  be  in  another 
world;  he  was  all  peace  and  praise:  "Thou 
art  my  hiding  place;  thou  shalt  preserve  me 
from  trouble;  thou  shalt  compass  me  about 
with  songs  of  deliverance/'  Bodily  pain  is 
easily  borne,  when  all  is  peace  within. — 
Lavington. 


Lamentations,  iii.  1. 
I  am  the  man  that  hath  seen  affliction  by  the  rod  of 
his  wrath. 

God  is  sometimes  angry  with  his  own  peo- 
ple: yet  it  is  to  be  complained  of,  not  as  a 
sword  to  cut  off,  but  only  as  a  rod  to  correct; 
it  is  to  them  "the  rod  of  his  wrath,"  a  chasten- 
ing, which,  though  grievous  for  the  present, 
will,  in  the  issue,  be  advantageous.  By  this 
rod,  we  must  expect  to  see  affliction;  and,  if 
we  be  made  to  see  more  than  ordinary  afflic- 
tion by  that  rod,  we  must  not  quarrel;  for  we 
are  sure  the  anger  is  just,  and  the  affliction 
mild  and  mixed  with  mercy. — M.  Henry. 

While  rods  are  in  the  Father's  hand, 

A  Father's  heart  reveal, 
And  teach  the  child  to  understand 

Thy  loving-kiiidness  well. 


140  Lamentations,  hi.  19,  20. 

Support  his  heart,  and  hold  his  head. 

And  sanctify  the  rod ; 
Purge  out  the  dross  which  health  has  bred, 

And  draw  his  heart  to  God. 

Berridge. 


Lamentations,  iii.  19,  20. 

Remembering  mine  affliction  and  my  misery,  the 
wormwood  and  the  gall.  My  soul  hath  them  still  in 
remembrance,  and  is  humbled  in  me. 

It  becomes  us  to  have  humbled  hearts  under 
humbling  providences,  and  to  renew  our  peni- 
tent humiliation  for  sin,  upon  every  remem- 
brance of  our  afflictions  and  miseries.  Thus 
we  may  get  good  by  former  corrections,  and 
prevent  further. — M.  Henry. 

I  charge  my  thoughts  be  humble  still, 

And  all  my  carriage  mild. 
Content,  my  Father,  with  thy  will, 

And  quiet  as  a  child. 

The  patient  soul,  the  lowly  mind, 

Shall  have  a  large  reward : 
Let  saints  in  sorrow  lie  resigned. 

And  trust  a  faithful  Lord. 

Dr.  Watts. 


Lamentations,  hi.  22 — iii.  39.        141 

Lamentations,  iii.  22. 

It  is  of  the  Lord's  mercies  that  we  are  not  consumed, 
because  his  compassions  fail  not. 

There  is  mercy  in  this,  that  it  is  no  worse. 
Am  I  afflicted?  it  might  have  been  hell,  as 
well  as  this.  There  is  mercy  in  God's  sup- 
ports under  it.  Others  have  sunk,  and  I  might 
have  been  left  to  sink  and  perish  under  my 
burdens.  There  is  mercy  in  deliverance  out 
of  it.  This  might  have  been  everlasting  dark- 
ness, that  should  never  have  had  a  morning. 
0  the  tenderness  of  Christ  over  his  afflicted ! — 
Flavel. 

Two  things  should  comfort  suffering  Chris- 
tians, namely,  all  they  suffer  is  not  hell;  yet  it 
is  all  the  hell  they  shall  ever  suffer. — Mason. 


Lamentations,  iii.  39. 

Wherefore  doth  a  living  man  complain,  a  man  for  the 
punishment  of  his  sins  ? 

Why  should  we  murmur  and  complain, 
since  we  justly  suffer  what  we  suffer,  and  it  is 
the  Lord's  condescension  that  he  will  make 
some  good  use  of  these  sufferings  to  our  eter- 
nal happiness,  that  we  may  be  capable  of  ever- 


142  Lamentations,  hi.  39. 

lasting  consolation.  His  justice  should  stop 
murmurings.  "  Wherefore  doth  a  living  man 
complain  ?''  If  he  complain,  he  can  complain 
of  none  but  himself,  that  evil  choice  he  hath 
made  for  his  own  soul,  which  it  may  be  he 
would  never  have  thought  of  but  upon  this 
occasion.  His  punishment  here  carrieth  no 
proportion  with  his  offence :  it  is  punishment 
in  the  singular  number,  sins  in  the  plural; 
one  punishment  for  many  acts  of  sin:  and  a 
living  man  on  this  side  hell — what  is  this  to 
everlasting  torments  ?  Life  cannot  be  without 
many  blessings  to  accompany  it;  while  living 
we  may  see  an  end  of  this  misery,  or  have 
time  to  escape  those  eternal  torments  which 
are  far  worse.  The  form  of  the  words  show- 
eth  why  we  should  thus  expostulate  with  our- 
selves, "  Wherefore  doth  a  living  man  com- 
plain ?"  Why  do  w^e  complain  ?  God  hath 
not  cut  us  off  from  the  land  of  the  living,  nor 
cast  us  into  hell;  it  is  the  punishment  of  sin, 
and  it  is  far  less  than  we  have  deserved. — 
Dr.  Manton. 

Our  lusts  are  cords;  fiery  trials  are  sent  to 
burn  and  consume  them. — Rutherford. 

All  afflictions  that  ever  a  saint  is  exercised 
with,  are  neither  too  numerous  nor  too  sharp: 


Daniel,  iv.  37.  143 

a  great  deal  of  rust  requires  a  rough  file. — 
Brown. 


Daniel,  iv.  37. 
Now  I  Nebuchadnezzar  praise  and  extol  and  honour 
the  King  of  heaven,  all  whose  works  are  truth,  and  his 
ways  judgment,  and  those  that  walk  in  pride  he  is  able 
to  abase. 

Afflictions  shall  last  no  longer  than  till  they 
have  done  the  work  for  which  they  were  sent. 
When  this  prince  is  brought  to  own  God's 
dominion  over  him,  he  is  then  restored  to  a 
dominion  over  himself. — M.  Henry. 

"A  consideration  of  the  benefits  of  afflic- 
tions, should  teach  us  to  bear  them  patiently, 
when  they  fall  to  our  lot;  and  to  be  thankful 
to  Heaven  for  having  planted  such  barriers 
around  us,  to  restrain  the  exuberance  of  our 
folly  and  our  crime.  Let  these  sacred  fences 
be  removed,  exempt  the  ambitious  from  dis- 
appointment, and  the  guilty  from  remorse,  let 
luxury  go  unattended  with  disease,  and  indis- 
cretion lead  into  no  embarrassments  or  dis- 
tresses; our  vices  would  range  without  con- 
trol, and  the  impetuosity  of  our  passions  have 
no  bounds;  every  family  would  be  filled  with 
strife,  every  nation  with  carnage,  and  a  deluge 


144  IlosEA,  II.  G. 

of  calamities  v/ould  break  in  upon  us,  which 
would  produce  more  misery  in  a  year,  than  is 
inflicted  by  the  hand  of  Providence  in  a  lapse 
of  ages. — Robert  Hall. 


HosEA  ii.  6. 

Therefore,  behold,  I  will  hedge  up  thy  way  with 
thorns,  and  make  a  wall  that  she  shall  not  find  her 
paths. 

A  double  allusion:  first,  to  cattle  that  are 
apt  to  stray,  "  I  will  hedge  up  thy  way  with 
thorns;"  secondly,  to  the  sea,  which  is  apt  to 
overflow  the  country,  "I  will  build  a  wall 
to  prevent  inundations."  Holy  Basil  was  a 
long  time  sorely  afflicted  with  an  inveterate 
head-ache;  he  often  prayed  for  the  removal 
of  it;  at  last  God  removed  it,  but  in  the  room 
of  it  he  was  sorely  exercised  with  the  motions 
and  temptations  of  sin;  which,  when  he  per- 
ceived, he  heartily  desired  his  head-ache  again, 
to  prevent  a  worse  evil.  You  little  know  the 
ends  and  uses  of  many  of  your  afflictions.  Are 
you  exercised  with  bodily  weaknesses?  It  is  a 
mercy  you  are  so;  and  if  these  pains  and  in- 
firmities were  removed,  these  clogs  taken  off, 
you  might,  with  Basil,  wish  for  them  again  to 


Rosea,  v.  15.  145 

prevent  worse  evils.  Are  you  poor?  Why, 
with  that  poverty  God  hath  clogged  your 
pride.  Are  you  reproached?  With  those 
reproaches  God  hath  clogged  your  ambition. 
Corruptions  are  prevented  by  your  afflictions. 
And  is  not  this  a  marvellous  help  to  holiness 
of  life? — Flavel. 

We  have  reason  to  bless  God  for  restrain- 
ing grace,  and  for  restraining  providences. — 
M.  Henry. 


HOSEA,  V.  15. 

I  will  go  and  return  to  my  place,  till  they  acknow- 
ledge their  offence,  and  seek  my  face:  in  their  affliction 
they  will  seek  me  early. 

It  is  true,  a  good  man  is  always  a  praying 
man;  he  considers  prayer  as  the  grand  mean 
of  intercourse  with  God.  But  how  differently 
he  feels  in  the  hour  of  affliction  to  what  he 
does  at  other  times!  He  has  often  reason  to 
lament  over  the  insensibility  of  his  heart,  and 
the  cold  manner  in  which  his  supplications 
are  presented  before  the  throne.  But  when 
affliction  comes,  what  life  and  energy  does  it 
put  into  his  prayers!  He  does  not  then  want 
words  to  express   himself;    it  is  not  then  a 

N 


146  Hose  A,  v.  15. 

formal  service;  his  whole  heart  is  engaged; 
yea,  he  finds  it  his  privilege  that  he  can  take 
his  afflictions  to  God;  and  that  while  he  is 
surrounded  by  the  tempest,  he  can  implore 
the  protection  of  Him  who  hath  all  things 
under  his  command.  Ah!  how  many  can 
look  back  to  the  place  of  affliction,  and  say, 
"  There  it  was  my  soul  poured  out  many 
prayers  to  the  Lord;  there  I  prayed  indeed; 
there  I  knew  what  communion  with  God 
meant;  there  I  sought  the  Lord,  and  he  heard 
me,  and  delivered  me  from  all  my  fears'." 
Nearness  to  God  is  the  happiness  of  the  re- 
newed soul.  Affliction  is  but  one  of  his  ser- 
vants, to  bring  us  into  the  enjoyment  of  this 
privilege.  God  delights  to  hear  from  us 
often,  as  the  kind  parent  loves  to  hear  from 
his  child  when  at  a  distance  from  home. 
Affliction  comes  and  knocks  at  the  door, 
enters  into  our  habitation,  and  stays  with  us 
for  a  season,  to  remind  us  of  our  duty;  to  re- 
prove us  for  our  neglect;  and  to  stimulate  us 
to  greater  mindfulness  of,  and  dependence  on, 
our  best  Friend. — Buck. 

Humbled  in  the  lowest  deep, 
Thee  I  for  my  sufferings  bless; 


Amos,  hi.  6.  147 

Think  of  all  thy  love,  and  weep 

For  my  own  unfaithfulness : 

I  have  most  rebellious  been. 

Thou  hast  laid  thine  hand  on  me. 

Kindly  visited  my  sin. 

Scourged  the  wanderer  back  to  thee. 

Taught  obedience  to  my  God 
By  the  things  I  have  endured. 
Meekly  now  I  kiss  the  rod. 
Wounded  by  the  rod  and  cured : 
Good  for  me  the  grief  and  pain, 
Let  me  but  thy  grace  adore, 
Keep  the  pardon  I  regain. 
Stand  in  awe,  and  sin  no  more. 

Charles  Wesley. 


Amos,  ill.  6. 


Is  there  evil  in  the  city,  and  the  Lord  hath  not  done 
it? 

Let  men  but  awaken  their  reason  and  con- 
science, who  is  it  that  is  at  the  upper  end  of 
causes?  So  in  private  afflictions,  David  owned 
God's  hand:  Shimei  had  mocked  him;  but  he 
looks  higher,  "  The  Lord  hath  bid  him  curse." 
So  Job;  he  doth  not  say  the  Chaldean  or  Sa- 
bean  hath  taken  away,  but  "the  Lord  hath 


148  MiCAH,  VI.  9. 

taken,"  Job,  i.  21.  Afflictions  have  a  higher 
cause  than  men  ordinarily  look  at;  they  do 
not  come  out  of  the  dust,  but  come  from  God. 
See  what  inference  Eliphaz  draws  from  this 
principle,  Job,  v.  8,  "  I  would  seek  unto  God, 
and  unto  God  would  I  commit  my  cause." 
That  is,  I  w^ould  go  and  deal  with  him  about 
it:  it  was  Eliphaz's  advice  to  Job,  and  it  is 
seasonable  to  us  all. — Dr.  Manton. 

Providential  dispensations  are  to  be  consi- 
dered as  visits  from  God.  Is  affliction  the 
Christian's  lot?  It  is  a  visit  from  heaven. 
"Thou  hast  visited  me,"  says  David.  God 
never  uses  the  flail,  but  when  his  corn  wants 
threshing. — Toplady. 

Our  hearts  are  fastened  to  the  world 

By  strong  and  various  ties, 
But  every  sorrow  cuts  a  string, 

And  urges  us  to  rise. 


MicAH,  vi.  9. 
Hear  ye  the  rod,  and  who  hath  appointed  it. 

Every  rod  has  a  voice,  and  it  is  the  voice 
of  God  that  is  to  be  heard  in  the  rod  of  God; 
and  it  is  well  for  them  that  understand  the 


MiCAH,  VII.  9.  149 

language  of  it,  which,  if  we  would  do,  we 
must  have  an  eye  to  Him  that  appointed  it. 
Every  rod  is  appointed,  of  what  kind  it  shall 
be,  where  it  shall  light,  and  how  long  it  shall 
lie*.  God,  in  every  affliction,  "  performeth  the 
thing  that  is  appointed  for  us,"  Job,  xxiii.  14; 
and  to  him,  therefore,  we  must  have  an  eye, 
to  him  we  must  have  an  ear;  hear  what  he 
saith  to  us  by  the  affliction,  "  hear  it,  and 
know  it  for  thy  good,"  Job,  v.  21. — M. 
Henry. 

Dear  Father,  if  thy  lifted  rod 
Resolve  to  scourge  us  here  below, 
Still  we  must  lean  upon  our  God. 
Thine  arm  shall  bear  us  safely  through. 

Dr.  Watts. 


MicAH,  vii.  9. 

I  will  bear  the  indignation  of  the  Lord,  because  I  have 
sinned  against  him. 

When  God  is  angry,  and  chastiseth  for  sin, 
we  must  stoop  humbly  under  his  afflicting 
hand,  bear  it  patiently  and  submissively,  for 
the  rod  is  dipped  in  our  own  guilt;  that  stop- 
peth  our  mouths,  and  checketh  repinings:  so 
seeing  his  faithfulness,  it  maketh  us  accept 
N  2 


150  Zephaniah,  III.  12. 

the  punishment  of  our  iniquities,  Lev.  xxvi. 
41,  that  is,  yield  to  it,  as  a  man  would  to  a 
bitter  potion,  or  a  medicinal  preparation  for 
his  health;  so  to  afflict,  is  as  a  means  to  get 
rid  of  sin,  which  would  be  the  bane  of  the 
soul. — Dr.  Manton. 

That  eminently  pious  man,  the  Rev.  John 
DoD,  who  died  in  Northamptonshire,  in  1645, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-six,  used  to  say 
to  his  sick  friends,  "  Afflictions  are  God's  po- 
tions, which  we  may  sweeten  by  faith  and 
faithful  prayer;  but  we,  for  the  most  part, 
make  them  bitter,  putting  into  God's  cup  the 
evil  ingredients  of  our  impatience  and  unbe- 
lief." 


Zephaniah,  iii.  12. 

I  will  leave  in  the  midst  of  thee  an  afflicted  and  poor 
people,  and  they  shall  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

God  hath  no  delight  in  afflicting  his  chil- 
dren; he  joys  and  delights  in  the  prosperity 
of  his  children.  It  is  our  sinful  nature  that 
makes  it  necessary  for  him  to  afflict  us,  that 
he  may  wean  us  from  the  world,  because  we 
are  prone  to  surfeit  upon  things  here  below. 
All  that  God  doth  is  that  we  may  trust  in 


Zechabiah,  XIII.  9.  151 

him,  which  we  should  never  do,  unless  he  did 
afflict  us,  and  make  us  poor  in  spirit;  but 
when  we  are  afflicted,  and  poor  in  spirit,  and 
have  nothing  at  home,  we  then  go  out  abroad, 
as  people  in  necessity  will  do.  Supply  must 
be  had,  either  at  home,  or  from  without;  and 
when  the  soul  is  beaten  and  driven  out  of  it- 
self, which  requires  much  ado,  then  we  are  fit 
for  this  blessed  act  here  spoken  of, — to  trust 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord. — Sibbs. 


Zechajiiah,  xiii.  9. 
And  I  will  bring  the  third  part  through  the  fire. 

Those  whom  God  sets  apart  for  himself 
must  pass  through  a  probation  and  purification 
in  this  world;  they  must  be  tried,  that  their 
faith  may  be  found  to  praise  and  honour,  as 
Abraham's  faith  was,  when  it  was  tried  by  the 
command  given  him  to  offer  up  Isaac:  "  Now 
know  I  that  thou  fearest  me."  They  must  be 
tried,  that  both  they  that  are  perfect,  and  they 
that  are  not,  may  be  made  manifest.  They 
must  be  refined  from  their  dross,  their  corrup- 
tion must  be  purged  out,  they  must  be  bright- 
ened and  bettered. — M.  Henry. 


152  Mark,  v.  5. 

Suppose,  Christian,  the  furnace  be  seven 
times  hotter,  it  is  but  to  make  you  seven  times 
better:  fiery  trials  make  golden  Christians. — 

Dyer. 

— • — ♦ 

Mark,  v.  5. 

When  Jesus  saw  their  faith,  he  saith  unto  the  sick  of 
the  palsy,  Son,  thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee. 

Sin  is  the  procuring  cause  of  all  our  pains 
and  sicknesses.  The  word  of  Christ  was  to  take 
his  thoughts  off  from  the  disease,  which  was 
the  effect,  and  to  lead  them  to  the  sin,  the 
cause,  that  he  might  be  more  concerned  about 
that,  to  get  that  pardoned.  God  doth  then 
graciously  take  away  the  sting  and  malignity 
of  sickness,  when  he  forgives  sin;  recovery 
from  sickness  is  then  a  mercy,  indeed,  when 
way  is  made  for  it  by  the  pardon  of  sin.  The 
way  to  remove  the  effect  is  to  take  away  the 
cause.  Pardon  of  sin  strikes  at  the  root  of  all 
diseases,  and  either  cures  them  or  alters  their 
property. — M.  Henry. 

If  sin  be  pardoned  I'm  secure, 

Death  hath  no  sting  beside ; 
The  law  gave  sin  its  damning  power, 

But  Christ,  my  ransom,  died. 


Luke,  xxii.  42.  153 

Luke,  xxii.  42. 

Father,  if  thou  be  willing,  remove  this  cup  from  me: 
nevertheless,  not  my  will  but  thine  be  done. 

This  must  be  our  pattern,  and  we  should  en- 
deavour, in  the  use  of  all  proper  means,  to 
bring  our  hearts  to  a  correspondent  temper, 
and  the  like  submission.  Particularly  endea- 
vour it  by  prayer,  waiting  and  begging  for  the 
Divine  Spirit  to  impress  and  form  your  hearts 
hereunto.  Observe  the  workings  of  your  own 
minds  on  all  occasions,  and  never  suffer  a  re- 
bellious, tumultuous  thought  to  arise  uncen- 
sured.  This  is  your  duty;  here  is  your  peace 
and  happiness,  and  the  perfection  of  it  will,  in 
part,  be  your  heaven. — Benjamin  Bennet. 

All  religion  lies  in  conforming  our  wills  to 
the  will  of  God;  that  there  should  be  but  one 
will  between  God  and  us,  and  that  this  should 
be  his  most  wise  and  righteous  will.  The  will 
of  his  precept  he  hath  made  known  to  us  by 
his  word,  and  to  that  we  ought  to  submit  our 
wills. — Bp.  Hopkins. 

Do  not  say  that  it  is  impossible  to  reduce 
these  exhortations  to  practice.  Many  suffer- 
ing saints  have  experienced  the  contrary. 
When  the  late  Rev.  John  Townsend,  the  be- 


154  Luke,  xxii.  42. 

nevolent  founder  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  So- 
ciety, was  suffering  extreme  pain  in  his  last 
illness,  he  exclaimed  ^*  Human  nature  cannot 
bear  this  long.  What  must  have  been  the  suf- 
ferings of  the  martyrs  at  the  stake!  What 
must  have  been  the  Saviour's  agony,  when,  in 
the  prospect  of  death,  he  cried  out,  Father,  if 
it  be  possible,  let  this  cup  pass  from  me: 
nevertheless,  not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done! 
What  are  my  sufferings  compared  to  the  Sa- 
viour's in  the  garden,  when  he  sweat,  as  it 
were,  great  drops  of  blood !  Father  of  mercies, 
hear  my  poor  prayer,  if  not  to  relieve,  help 
me  to  bear  and  suffer." 

The  lovely  bird  of  Paradise — Christian 
contentment — can  sit  and  sing  in  the  cage  of 
affliction  and  confinement,  or  fly  at  liberty 
through  the  vast  expanse,  with  almost  equal 
satisfaction ;  while  "  Even  so.  Father,  for  so  it 
seemeth  good  in  thy  sight,"  is  the  chief  note 
in  the  celestial  song. — Swain. 

One  prayer  I  have,  all  prayers  in  one, 

When  I  am  wholly  thine; 
Thy  will,  my  God,  thy  will  be  done, 

And  let  that  will  be  mine. 


John,  v.  14.  155 

All-wise,  Almighty,  and  All-good, 

In  thee  I  firmly  trust ; 
Thy  ways,  unknown  or  understood, 

Are  merciful  and  just. 

Montgomery. 


John,  v.  14. 

Behold,  thou  art  made  whole;  sin  no  more,  lest  a 
worse  thing  come  unto  thee. 

Christ  intimates  that  those  who  are  made 
whole,  that  are  eased  of  the  present  sensible 
punishment  of  sin,  are  in  danger  of  returning 
to  sin,  when  the  terror  and  restraint  of  that  is 
over,  unless  Divine  grace  dry  up  the  fountain. 
When  the  trouble  which  only  confined  the 
current  is  over,  the  waters  will  return  to  their 
old  course;  and,  therefore,  there  is  need  of 
great  watchfulness,  lest,  after  healing  mercy, 
we  return  again  to  folly.  The  misery  we 
were  made  whole  from,  warns  us  to  sin  no 
more,  having  felt  the  smart  of  sin;  the  mercy 
we  were  made  whole  by,  is  an  engagement 
upon  us  not  to  ofiend  Him  who  healed  us. 
This  is  the  voice  of  every  providence,  "  Go 
and  sin  no  more.'^  This  man  began  his  new 
life  very  hopefully  in  the  temple,  yet  Christ 


156  John,  xi.  3. 

saw  it  necessary  to  give  him  this  caution;  for 
it  is  common  for  people,  when  they  are  sick, 
to  promise  much;  when  newly  recovered  to 
perform  something;  but  after  a  while  to  for- 
get all. — M.  Henry. 

Sin  has  brought  many  a  believer  into  suf- 
fering; and  suffering  has  kept  many  a  believer 
from  sinning. — Dyer. 


John,  xi.  3. 

Lord,  behold  he  whom  thou  lovest  is  sick. 

It  is  no  new  thing  for  those  whom  Christ 
loves  to  be  sick;  all  things  come  alike  to  all; 
bodily  distempers  correct  the  corruptions,  and 
try  the  grace  of  God's  people. — M.  Henry. 

Some  of  Cyprian's  people  happened  to  be 
staggered  in  their  minds,  because  they  found 
that  Christians  were  liable  to  be  afflicted  with 
the  plague  as  others.  Upon  which  he  ex- 
plained to  them,  that,  in  spirit,  the  children 
of  God  are  indeed  separated  from  the  rest  of 
mankind ;  but  that,  in  all  other  respects,  they 
are  exposed  to  the  common  evils  of  human 
life.  In  his  usual  manner,  he  supported  his 
precepts  by  scripture   examples,  and   spoke 


John,  xi.  4.  157 

eloquently  and  solidly  of  the  benefits  of  afflic- 
tion, and  of  the  opportunity  of  showing  what 
spirit  they  were  of.  "  Let  that  man  fear  to 
die/'  said  he,  "  who  has  the  second  death  to 
undergo;  who  is  not  born  of  water  and  the 
Spirit;  who  is  not  a  partaker  of  the  cross  and 
passion  of  Christ;  and  whom  eternal  flames 
will  torment  with  perpetual  punishment.  To 
such  a  one  life  is,  indeed,  a  desirable  object, 
because  it  delays  his  condemnation.  But 
what  have  good  men  to  "dread  from  death? 
They  are  called  by  it  to  an  eternal  refresh- 
ment." 


John,  xi.  4. 


This  sickness  is  not  unto  death,  but  for  the  glory  of 
God,  that  the  Son  of  God  might  be  glorified  thereby. 

The  sickness  of  good  people,  how  threat- 
ening soever,  is  not  unto  death;  for  it  is  not 
to  eternal  death.  The  body's  death  to  this 
world  is  the  soul's  birth  into  another  world. 
When  we  or  our  friends  are  sick,  we  make  it 
our  principal  support  that  there  is  hope  of 
a  recovery;  but  in  that  we  may  be  disap- 
pointed; therefore,  it  is  our  wisdom  to  build 
upon  that  in  which  we  cannot  be  disap- 
o 


158  John,  xviii.  11. 

pointed:  if  we  belong  to  Christ,  let  the  worst 
come  to  the  worst,  we  cannot  be  hurt  of  the 
second  death,  and  then  not  much  hurt  of  the 
fiist. — M.  Henry. 

0  happy  sickness,  where  the  infirmity  is 
not  to  death,  but  to  life,  that  God  may  be 
glorified  by  it!  0  happy  fever,  that  pro- 
ceedeth  not  from  a  consuming,  but  a  calcining 
fire!  0  happy  distemper,  wherein  the  soul 
relisheth  no  earthly  things,  but  only  s^Tvoureth 
Divine  nourishment! — Gisten. 


'    John,  xviii.  11. 

Then  said  Jesus  unto  Peter,  Put  up  thy  sword  into  the 
sheath:  the  cup  which  my  Father  hath  given  me,  shall 
I  not  drink  it? 

And  shortly  after  he  indeed  drunk  it  to  the 
bottom.  Affliction  is  also  a  bitter  cup  to  the 
saints;  and  they,  as  Christ,  pray  again  and 
again,  yea,  thrice  against  it,  because,  to  sense, 
no  chastening  seemeth  joyous  but  grievous, 
Heb.  xii.  11;  though  grace  persuades  them  to 
drink  it,  and  faith  gives  them  a  taste  of  much 
sweetness  when  they  have  drunk  it.  As  a 
sick  man  is  backward  to  take  a  distasteful 
medicine  till  his  reason  hath  overcome   his 


Acts,  xiv.  22.  159 

feelings,  so  a  godly  man  is  unwilling  to  bear 
afflictions  till  his  faith  hath  overcome  his  rea- 
son; nor  can  he  quietly  endure  the  trouble- 
some smart  of  the  rod,  till  he  is  assured  of 
"the  peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness'^  which 
grow  from  it,  to  those  who  are  exercised  by 
it. — Caryl. 

How  bitter  that  cup  no  heart  can  conceive, 
The  Saviour  drunk  up,  that  sinners  might  live ! 
His  way  was  much  rougher  and  darker  than  mine. 
Did  Christ,  my  Lord,  suffer,  and  shall  I  repine? 

Since  all  that  I  meet  shall  work  for  my  good. 
The  bitter  is  sweet,  the  medicine  is  food ; 
Though  painful  at  present,  'twill  cease  before  long. 
And  then,  oh  how  pleasant  the  conqueror's  song. 

Newton. 


Acts,  xiv,  22. 

We  must,  through  much  tribulation,  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  God. 

Afflictions,  like  the  waters  of  Marah,  must 
be  met  with  in  our  way  to  the  heavenly 
Canaan;  there  is  no  coming  at  the  crown  but 
by  the  cross;  the  Head  having  been  crowned 


160  Romans,  v.  3. 

with   thorns,  it   is   unsuitable   that  the   feet 
should  tread  on  roses. — Burkitt. 

Why  should  I  complain  of  want  or  distress, 
Temptation  or  pain?  he  told  me  no  less: 
The  heirs  of  salvation,  I  know  from  his  word, 
Through  much  tribulation  must  follow  their  Lord. 

Newton. 


R0MA.NS,  V.  3. 

Tribulation  worketh  patience. 

Perhaps  when  the  Lord  first  lays  his  hand 
upon  us  and  touches  "our  bone  and  our 
flesh,"  we  fret  and  toss  like  bullocks  unaccus- 
tomed to  the  yoke,  and  say,  in  the  frenzy  of 
our  grief,  "  I  do  well  to  be  angry.  This  evil 
is  of  the  Lord,  why  should  I  wait  for  the 
Lord  any  longer?"  Such,  in  the  beginning 
of  an  affliction,  are  the  impious  ravings  of  an 
unsubdued  spirit.  But,  by  degrees,  our  pas- 
sions subside,  and,  like  the  prodigal,  when  he 
began  to  be  in  want,  we  come  to  ourselves, 
and  humbly  say,  "  Lord,  show  me  wherefore 
thou  contendest  with  me."  Ah!  if  the  Lord 
were  to  reveal  to  us  all  that  is  amiss  in  our 
hearts  and  our  lives,  we  should  be  startled  at 


Romans,  v.  3.  161 

the  sight  of  so  much  deformity  and  pollution. 
But  he  shows  us  enough  to  make  us  abhor 
ourselves,  and  sincerely  repent  in  dust  and 
ashes.  Then,  instead  of  complaining  that  our 
affliction  is  heavy,  we  are  thankful  that  it 
is  not  heavier;  and  if  nature  dare  murmur, 
grace  presently  checks  it,  with  saying,  "  It  is 
the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him  good; 
I  will  bear  the  indignation  of  the  Lord,  be- 
cause I  have  sinned  against  him."  In  this 
manner  ^'  tribulation  worketh  patience." — 
Lavington. 

See  a  good  man  confined  with  a  broken 
limb,  or  painful  disease;  he  is  cut  off,  perhaps, 
in  part  from  society;  he  must  not  move;  he 
cannot  pursue  the  avocations  of  life  as  usual; 
he  is  imprisoned  for  a  while;  those  who  stand 
by  look  upon  him  and  pity  him,  and  feel 
themselves  pleased  that  it  is  not  their  lot,  and 
that  they  are  not  called  to  bear  such  an  afflic- 
tion. But  how  good  is  God;  while  he  takes 
one  blessing  he  gives  another.  This  object 
before  us,  perhaps,  is  not  so  wretched  as  we 
imagine.  He  has  learned  patience  by  his 
affliction;  he  submits  to  the  Divine  will;  he 
finds  it  best  to  wait  quietly  for  deliverance. 
"It  might,"  says  he,  "have  been  worse:  God 
o  2 


162  Romans,  v.  4,  5. 

is  still  wise  and  merciful,  I  must  not,  I  dare 
not  complain."  What  a  pleasant  sight  is  it 
thus  to  behold  patience  having  its  perfect 
work! — Buck. 


Romans,  v.  4,  5. 

And  patience,  experience ;  and  experience,  hope;  and 
hope  maketh  not  ashamed. 

While  patience  is  the  fruit  of  the  Christian's 
conflicts  and  trials,  he  gains  experience  by 
them:  he  acquires  the  knowledge  which  a 
traveller  obtains  in  performing  a  long  journey; 
he  is  in  possession  of  a  bundle  of  choice 
maxims  and  observations,  gathered  with  much 
pains;  he  is  taught  by  them  to  know  his  own 
heart;  he  is  brought  acquainted  with  the 
faithfulness  and  mercy  of  God  in  holding  him 
up  in  the  deep  waters,  and  accompanying  him 
through  the  fire  of  affliction.  And  this  ex- 
perience produces  hope:  a  hope  that  he  is 
savingly  united  to  Christ;  a  hope  that  he  is 
in  the  church  of  God ;  a  "  hope  of  the  glory 
of  God;"  a  hope  that  "  maketh  not  ashamed," 
keeping  us  steady  at  anchor  through  every 
storm,  and  when  every  other  support  fails. — 
Cecil. 


Romans,  v.  4,  5.  163 

In  the  year  1799,  the  celebrated  Lavater 
was  humanely  relieving  some  poor  widows 
from  the  importunities  of  the  French  soldiery, 
whom  he  accommodated  at  his  own  house 
with  meat  and  drink,  when  one  of  the  ruffians 
shot  him  a  little  below  the  heart,  and  the  ball 
went  out  on  the  right  side.  From  the  effects 
of  this  dangerous  wound  he  recovered  for  a 
short  interval,  and,  in  his  first  sermon,  he 
made  this  avowal,  "  0  thou  adorable  Pre- 
server of  my  life,  how  near  hast  thou  brought 
me  to  the  very  brink  of  the  grave!  but  one 
step  further,  and  I  could  no  longer  have  praised 
thee  among  my  fellow-mortals.  Thou  art  my 
hope.  It  is  no  vain  boast,  but  a  profitable 
truth,  which  may  be  usefully  applied,  that 
though  naturally  I  am  one  of  the  most  timid 
beings,  yet  my  God  has  filled  me  with  un- 
shaken confidence.  He  has  so  confirmed  this 
by  innumerable  instances  of  his  admirable 
condescension  to  my  most  particular  wants, 
and  my  boldest  petitions,  especially  during 
the  present  very  remarkable  year,  that  I  can- 
not but  repeat  these  words:  'Thou  art  my 
hope.'  My  reason  must  fail  me  if  my  confi- 
dence should:  my  heart  and  my  spirit  must 
entirely  be  changed,  and  I   become  another 


164  Romans,  viii.  18. 

being,  before  I  could  renounce  my  hope  in 
God." 


Romans,  viii.  18. 

For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time 
are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall 
be  revealed  in  us. 

Sufferings  are  not  to  be  compared  and 
looked  upon  in  respect,  first,  of  the  punish- 
ment that  we  have  deserved,  which  is  passed 
by  and  pardoned;  and  then,  not  to  be  com- 
pared and  reckoned  with  the  present  grace 
and  comfort  that  God's  people  have  here; 
but,  then,  much  less  are  they  to  be  compared 
and  reckoned  with  the  weight  of  glory  that  is 
to  come,  that  is  promised  to  us. — Bernard. 

My  Lord,  my  Life,  O  cheer  my  heart 

With  thy  reviving  ray. 
And  bid  these  mournful  shades  depart. 

And  bring  the  dawn  of  day ! 

O  happy  scenes  of  pure  delight ! 

Where  thy  full  beams  impart 
Unclouded  beauty  to  the  sight, 

And  rapture  to  the  heart. 


RoMAT>rs,  viii.  28.  165 

Her  part  in  those  fair  realms  of  bliss, 

My  spirit  longs  to  know : 
My  wishes  terminate  in  this, 

Nor  can  they  rest  below. 

Mrs.  Steele. 


Romans,  viii.  28. 

And  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good 
to  them  that  love  God,  to  them  who  are  the  called  ac- 
cording to  his  purpose. 

And  as  all  things  work  together  for  the 
good  of  them  who  are  the  called  according  to 
his  purpose,  so  it  is  the  purpose  of  God  that 
all  things  should  work  together  for  their 
good,  and  that  is  not  a  successless  purpose. 
Indeed,  every  rod  upon  the  backs  of  the 
wicked  hath  a  voice  in  it,  to  call  them  from 
the  pit  of  death  and  destruction,  and  to  be 
enlightened  with  the  light  of  the  living;  but 
God  makes  this  call  effectual  to  all  his  elect, 
none  of  whom  shall  perish  with  the  world. 
So  that  a  godly  man  should  be  so  far  from 
judging  himself  dealt  with  as  an  enemy,  as 
Job  in  his  extremity  did,  when  he  is  most 
sorely  afflicted,  that,  indeed,  he  may  see  the 
love  and  fatherly  care  of  God  in  it.     All  the 


166  Romans,  viii.  28. 

providential  dispensations  of  God  work  to 
glorious  ends;  sometimes  for  the  outward 
good  of  his  people  in  this  life,  always  for 
good  as  to  their  spiritual  and  eternal  life. — 
Caryl. 

All  the  seeming  accidents  observable  in  the 
world  subserve  the  same  end,  and  centre  in 
one  point.  They  tend  to  promote  the  glory  of 
the  Father,  and  the  salvation  of  the  children. 
Every  sickness  and  infirmity  which  are  laid 
upon  you,  every  loss  that  you  sustain,  every 
reproach  that  you  sufier,  every  scorn  that 
reddens  your  cheeks,  and  every  grief  that 
saddens  your  hearts,  every  pain  and  torture 
which  rend  you,  and  every  ache  in  your 
bones,  are  intended  for  your  good.  Every 
alteration  in  your  circumstances,  your  foul  and 
fair  weather,  your  cloudy  and  sunshiny  days, 
your  ebbings  and  flowings,  your  plenty  and 
scarcity,  your  freedom  and  imprisonment, 
your  health  and  sickness,  your  life  and  death, 
do  all  work  together  for  your  good.  0  Chris- 
tians !  see  what  a  harvest  of  blessedness  springs 
up  from  this  text. — Rowland, 


Rom.  XII.  12.— 1  Cor.  hi.  21—23.      167 

Romans,  xii.  12. 
Rejoicing  in  hope ;  patient  in  tribulation;  continuing 
instant  in  prayer. 

Hope,  patience,  and  prayer,  are  powerful 
supports  under  all  afflictions,  and  will  render 
them  not  only  tolerable,  but  joyous.  By  pa- 
tience, we  possess  ourselves;  by  hope,  we 
possess  God;  by  prayer,  we  are  enabled  unto 

both. BURKITT. 

O  my  soul,  what  means  this  sadness? 

Wherefore  art  thou  thus  cast  down  ? 
Let  thy  griefs  be  turned  to  gladness, 
Bid  thy  restless  fears  be  gone; 

Look  to  Jesus, 
And  rejoice  in  his  dear  name. 

Fawcett. 


1  Corinthians,  ill.  21 — 23. 

For  all  things  are  yours;  whether  Paul,  or  Apollos,  or 
Cephas,  or  the  world,  or  life,  or  death,  or  things  present, 
or  things  to  come;  all  are  yours;  and  ye  are  Christ's; 
and  Christ  is  God's. 

"  All  is  ours"  if  we  are  Christ's,  whether 
Paul,  or  Apollos,  or  Cephas.  All  the  gifts, 
graces,  labours,  and  prayers  of  all  gospel  mi- 


168  1  Corinthians,  hi.  21—23. 

nisters;  and  all  gospel  ordinances,  are  appoint- 
ed  and   designed   for   our  good,    (Ephes.  iv. 
11 — 13,)  for  the  gathering  of  us  in,  and  for 
the  perfecting  and  building  of  us  up  in  Christ 
Jesus,   until  we   all   come   to   heaven.     The 
world  is  ours;  the  good  and  evil  of  it,  the 
bitter  and  the  sweet  of  it,  the  comforts  and 
the  crosses  of  it,  the  gains  and  the  losses  of 
it,  the  love  and  the  hate  of  it,  the  smiles  and 
the  frowns,  the  friends  and  foes  in  it:  all  is 
designed  for,  and  shall  promote  our  spiritual 
and  eternal  welfare.     Life  is  ours.     All  the 
trouble,  sickness,  pain,  evil  tidings,  persecu- 
tions,  disappointments,    losses    of    relations, 
shame,    reproach,    or   whatever    attends    this 
mortal  life,  shall  be  sanctified  and  blessed  to 
us  for  our  good.     Yea,  death  is  ours;  it  shall 
be  our  gain,  it  shall  put  a  full  end  to  all  our 
sin  and  suffering,  and  be  the  door  of  entrance 
for  us  into  the  glory  of  our  Father's  house. 
All  things  present — our  present  fears,  sorrows, 
infirmities,    shall    be    so    ordered    and    over- 
ruled by  the  wisdom  and  love  of  our  Father, 
that  they  shall  all  help  us  onward  to  heaven. 
And  things  to  come  are  ours:  all  that  glory 
to  be  revealed;  that  saints'   everlasting  rest 
which  is  prepared  for  the  people  of  God ;  that 


1  Corinthians,  hi.  21—23.  169 

crown  of  righteousness,  of  glory,  and  of  life; 
that  kingdom  of  glory;  that  unspeakable,  that 
inconceivable  state  of  happiness  and  blessed- 
ness which  Christ  our  Lord  has  purchased  by 
his  blood:  all  this  is  ours  also.  But  how 
come  we  to  have  a  right  and  title  to  all  this? 
Why,  says  the  apostle,  thus:  "  Ye  are  Christ's, 
and  Christ  is  God's."  As  sure  as  Christ 
is  God's,  so  sure,  if  you  be  Christ's,  all  is 
yours:  and,  as  I  have  proved,  if  we  be  true 
believers  in  Christ,  then  we  are  Christ's. — 

BuNYAN. 

When  the  Rev.  James  Hervey  was  dying, 
he  spoke  of  the  above  text:  "All  things  are 
yours,"  said  he,  "  life  and  death,  for  ye  are 
Christ's."  Here  is  the  treasure  of  a  Chris- 
tian. Death  is  reckoned  among  this  inven- 
tory, and  a  noble  treasure  it  is.  How  thank- 
ful am  I  for  death,  as  it  is  the  passage  through 
which  I  pass  to  the  Lord  and  Giver  of  life ; 
and  as  it  frees  me  from  all  this  misery  you 
now  see  me  endure,  and  which  1  am  willing 
to  endure,  as  long  as  God  sees  fit;  for  I  know 
he  will,  by  and  bye,  in  his  own  good  time, 
dismiss  me  from  the  body. 
p 


170  2  Corinthians,  i.  3,  4. 

2  Corinthians,  i.  3,  4. 

The  God  of  all  comfort :  who  comforteth  us  in  all  our 
tribulation,  that  "v^^e  may  be  able  to  comfort  them  which 
are  in  any  trouble  by  the  comfort  wherewith  we  our- 
selves are  comforted  of  God. 

All  consolation  belongs  to  God;  he  hath  all 
comfort  in  his  own  power  and  disposal;  there 
is  not  any  creature  in  the  world  can  give  out 
the  least  drop  of  comfort  to  us,  without  the 
commission  or  leave  of  God;  it  is  possible  for 
one  man  to  give  another  man  riches,  but  he 
cannot  give  him  comfort;  man  may  give  ho- 
nour to  man,  but  he  cannot  give  him  comfort. 
A  man  may  have  a  pleasant  dwelling,  a  loving 
wife,  sweet  children,  and  yet  none  of  these  a 
comfort  to  him.  The  consolation  of  all  our 
possessions  and  relations  is  from  God.  Who- 
soever would  have  comfort,  must  trade  to 
heaven  for  it;  that's  a  commodity  which  can 
be  found  upon  no  earthly  coast;  you  may 
fetch  in  wealth  from  many  coasts  of  the  earth, 
but  you  cannot  fetch  in  comfort,  till  you  ad- 
dress yourselves  to  the  God  of  heaven.  We 
can  procure  our  own  sorrow  quickly,  but 
God  only  makes  us  to  rejoice;  our  relief  from 
outward  affliction,  or  inward  grief,  is  the  gift 
of  God.     He  only  can  comfort  us  in  outward 


2  Corinthians,  i,  3,  4.  171 

afflictions  who  can  command  the  creature ; 
and  he  only  can  comfort  us  against  our  inward 
griefs,  who  can  convince  the  conscience.  None 
can  do  either  of  these  but  God,  therefore  con- 
solations are  from  God. — Caryl. 

Who  has  not  by  accident,  or  disease,  been 
confined  to  the  chamber  of  weariness  and 
pain  ?  and  who,  by  the  sympathies,  attentions, 
and  soothings  of  the  tenderest  friendship,  has 
comforted  you  upon  the  bed  of  languishing, 
and  made  all  your  bed  in  your  sickness? 
And  who,  when  the  graves  were  ready  for 
you,  and  you  said,  "  I  shall  behold  man  no 
more  with  the  inhabitants  of  the  world," — 
who  comforted  you  by  the  return  of  ease,  the 
re-glowing  of  health,  the  renewal  of  your 
strength,  the  resumption  of  your  liberty,  so 
that  all  your  bones  said,  "  Who  is  a  God  like 
unto  Thee?" 

Has  a  friend,  like  ointment  and  perfume, 
rejoiced  your  heart  by  the  sweetness  of  his 
counsel  ?  or  has  a  minister  been  the  helper  of 
your  faith  and  joy  ?  The  Lord  gave  him  the 
tongue  of  the  learned,  that  he  should  know 
how  to  speak  a  word  in  season  to  him  that  is 
weary.  God  comforted  you  by  the  coming  of 
Titus. 


172  2  Corinthians,  iv.  16. 

The  heathen  made  idols  of  every  thing 
that  afforded  them  relief  and  comfort,  and 
thus  they  loved  and  served  the  creature  more 
than  the  Creator.  Let  us  not  resemble  them, 
but  remember,  that  whatever  may  be  the  me- 
dium of  our  comfort,  God  is  the  only  source 
of  it.  Thus  the  instrument,  instead  of  sedu- 
cing us  from  God,  will  be  a  conductor  to  him, 
and  the  stream  will  lead  us  to  the  Fountain  of 
life. — Jay. 


2  Corinthians,  iv.  16. 

For  this  cause  we  faint  not ;  but  though  our  outward 
man  perish,  yet  the  inward  man  is  renewed  day  by  day. 

If  you  value  yourselves  on  your  outward 
condition,  you  will  still  be  entangled;  you 
should  more  highly  esteem,  and  be  more 
solicitous  about  the  welfare  of  your  souls  in  a 
time  of  affliction,  than  of  all  things  else  in  the 
world:  and  you  will  more  easily  submit,  and 
more  wisely  consider  of  the  Lord's  doing,  and 
the  better  understand  your  interest.  When 
the  main  care  is  about  your  souls,  you  will 
value  other  losses  the  less,  as  long  as  your 
jewel  is  in  safe  hands. — Dr.  Manton. 


2  Corinthians,  iv.  17.  173 

'Mid  the  gloom,  the  vivid  lightnings. 
With  increasing  brightness  play ; 
'Mid  the  thorn-brake  sweetest  flowerets 
Look  more  beautiful  and  gay : 
Sweet  afliiction 
That  brings  Jesus  to  my  soul. 

Pearce. 


2  Corinthians,  iv.  17. 

For  our  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  moment, 
worketh  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight 
of  glory. 

Two  things  render  affliction  either  easy  or 
intolerable;  to  wit,  its  kind,  and  its  continu- 
ance. If  it  be  ponderous  and  crushing,  and 
withal  continual,  this  makes  affliction  break  all 
the  bones,  and  wound  the  very  spirit.  But 
when  it  is  light,  and  over  in  a  moment,  which 
is  the  case  with  all  the  afflictions  that  befall 
the  people  of  God,  I  wonder  why  or  how  I 
can  complain.  But  how  astonishing  beyond 
expression  must  it  be,  that  this  light  and 
transitory  load  of  affliction  should  work  for  me 
a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of 
glory !  Truly,  I  have  no  reason  to  cry  out  of 
my  troubles,  since  they  work  more  good  for 
me  than  now  I  can  conceive.  And  little  do 
p  2 


174  2  Corinthians,  iv.  17. 

I  think,  while  grappling  with  my  afflictions 
and  my  fears,  what  they  are  procuring  for 
me  in  the  highest  heavens;  God  having  so 
connected  the  seed-time  of  tears  with  the  har- 
vest of  glory,  that  they  who  sow  weeping, 
shall  reap  with  everlasting  joy.  Would  I 
grudge  to  carry  a  stone  for  a  day  or  two,  if 
assured  that  when  I  laid  it  down,  I  should 
receive  a  crown  of  gold?  Why  then  repine 
under  my  afflictions.  But  again,  What  pro- 
portion is  there  between  the  cross  and  the 
crown,  the  trial  and  the  triumph,  the  affliction 
and  the  comfort,  the  burden  of  grief  and  the 
exceeding  weight  of  glory?  no  more  than  be- 
tween the  glorious  Giver,  and  the  glorified  re- 
ceiver.— Meikle. 

Do  but  admire  the  beauty  of  the  position, 
and  how  the  good  is  set  against  the  evil,  like 
two  scales  difierently  filled.  The  affliction  is 
light,  and  but  for  a  moment;  the  glory  is  a 
weight,  and  it  is  forever!  Here  is  a  feather 
against  lead,  a  grain  of  sand  against  the  uni- 
verse, a  moment  against  eternity !  Oh  how  the 
scale  that  contains  this  world's  light  trouble 
kicks  the  beam,  when  set  in  competition  with 
the  glory  that  shall  be  revealed  in  us! — Mrs. 
H.  More. 


2  Corinthians,  v.  1.  175 

This  weight  of  glory  should  make  suffer- 
ings light.  This  weight  should  make  us 
throw  away  the  weights  of  siii  out  of  our 
hands,  though  they  be  golden  weights.  Who 
would,  for  the  indulging  of  a  lust,  forfeit  so 
glorious  an  inheritance? — Watson. 

All  I  meet  I  find  assists  me 

In  my  path  to  heavenly  joy, 
Where,  though  trials  now  attend  me. 

Trials  never  more  annoy  : 
Sweet  affliction. 

Thus  to  lead  to  endless  joy. 

Blest  there  with  a  weight  of  glory. 

Still  the  path  I'll  ne'er  forget; 
But  exulting,  cry,  it  led  me 

To  my  blessed  Saviour's  seat ; 

Sweet  affliction, 

Which  has  brought  to  Jesus'  feet. 

Pearce. 


2  Corinthians,  v.  1. 

For  we  know,  that  if  our  earthly  house  of  this  taber- 
nacle  were  dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of  God,  an 
house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens. 

Let  us  contemplate  the  feeble  structure  of 
this  earthly  tabernacle,  which  gives  us  so 
many  tokens  of  its  nearly  approaching  disso- 


176  2  Corinthians,  v.  1. 

lution;  this  tabernacle,  in  which  we  groan 
under  such  a  variety  of  burdens;  and  let  us 
comfort  ourselves  with  the  prospect  of  speedy 
deliverance;  that  so,  while  the  outward  man 
perisheth,  the  inner  man  may  be  renewed  day 
by  day.  What!  though  we  have  death  before 
us  in  certain  prospect,  and  know  we  must 
soon  be  absent  from  the  body?  If  we  are 
true  Christians,  we  have  the  most  express 
assurance,  not  only  that  the  time  will  come, 
when  we  shall  inhabit  a  building  of  God,  an 
house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavens;  but  that  we  shall  immediately  be 
present  with  the  Lord,  with  that  blessed  Re- 
deemer, whom  having  not  seen  we  love. 
How  much  more  shall  we  love  him,  how 
much  more  shall  we  rejoice  in  him,  when  we 
are  blessed  with  his  presence,  and  behold  his 
glory. — Dr.  Doddridge. 

Dr.  Andrew  Rivet,  who  died  at  Breda, 
in  the  year  1651,  in  his  last  affliction,  alluded 
to  this  portion  of  Scripture,  and  said,  ^'  I 
know,  0  Lord,  that  this  tabernacle  cannot  be 
dissolved  without  pain.  The  heart  is  yet 
strong,  and  I  have  yet  many  pangs  to  suffer. 
Lord,  help  my  infirmities!  Depart  not  from 
me  in  the  day  of  my  distress!     Say  to  my 


2  Corinthians,  v.  4.  177 

soul,  I   am   He  that  can  deliver  thee.     The 
Lord  is  the  portion  of  mine  inheritance." 


2  Corinthians,  v.  4. 

For  we  that  are  in  this  tabernacle  do  groan,  being  bur- 
dened; not  for  that  we  would  be  unclothed,  but  clothed 
upon,  thatmortaUty  might  be  swallowed  up  of  life. 

When  the  apostle  is  carried  up  on  those 
eagle  wings  of  assurance  to  see  a  house  not 
made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens,  then 
he  groans  earnestly  under  the  burden  of  his 
earthly  tabernacle,  and  desires  to  die;  )'et, 
looking  upon  death,  he  saw  no  form  or  come- 
liness in  that,  why  he  should  desire  it;  and, 
therefore,  he  seems  to  correct  himself,  at  least 
to  draw  his  mind  plainer  with  the  next  drop 
of  his  pen,  "  not  for  that  we  would  be  un- 
clothed, but  clothed  upon,  that  mortality  might 
be  swallowed  up  of  life."  He  speaks  some- 
what like  a  man,  who  in  a  time  of  heat  hastily 
strips  himself  to  go  into  the  water,  but  putting 
a  foot  in,  and  finding  it  cold,  calls  for  his 
clothes  again.  The  apostle  in  a  true,  holy 
heat  of  spirit,  had  in  his  desires  almost  stript 
himself  of  his  body,  but  putting  a  foot  into 


178  2  Corinthians,  v.  4. 

the  grave,  he  found  that  so  cold,  that  he  had 
no  great  mind  to  it,  and  therefore  had  rather 
keep  on  the  clothing  of  his  body,  and  have  a 
suit  of  glory  over  it,  than  lay  it  down.  The 
saints  desire  to  live  with  Christ,  but  in  itself, 
they  desire  not  to  die:  they  had  rather  their 
mortality  should  be  swallowed  up  of  eternal 
life,  than  their  temporal  life  should  be  swal- 
lowed up  of  mortality.  They  that  have  grace 
like  not  the  disunions  of  nature. — Caryl. 

There  is  a  land  of  pure  delight, 

Where  saints  immortal  reign ; 
Infinite  day  excludes  the  night, 

And  pleasures  banish  pain. 

There  everlasting  spring  abides, 

And  never-withering  flowers ; 
Death,  like  a  narrow  sea  divides, 

This  heavenly  land  from  ours. 

But  timorous  mortals  start  and  shrink 

To  cross  this  narrow  sea  ; 
And  linger,  shivering,  on  the  brink, 

And  fear  to  launch  away. 

Could  we  but  climb  where  Moses  stood, 

And  view  the  landscape  o'er,  « 


2  Corinthians,  vii.  6.  179 

Not  Jordan's  stream,  nor  death's  cold  flood, 
Should  fright  us  from  the  shore. 

Dr.  Watts. 


2  Corinthians,  vii.  6. 

Nevertheless,  God,  that  comforteth  those  that  are  cast 
down,  comforted  us  by  the  coming  of  Titus. 

Titus  was  a  good  man,  and  brought  good 
tidings,  yet  Paul  doth  not  say  that  the  coming 
of  Titus  did  comfort  them;  but,  saith  Paul, 
"  God  comforted  us  by  the  coming  of  Titus." 
It  is  not  your  friend  who  comforts  you,  but 
God  who  comforts  you  by  the  coming  of  such 
a  friend,  when  you  are  in  sorrow;  by  sending 
in  such  relief  when  you  are  poor;  by  sending 
such  medicines  when  you  are  sick,  such  salves 
when  you  are  sore,  such  counsel  when  you 
are  in  doubt,  and  know  not  what  to  do. — 
Caryl. 

"To  comfort  the  heart,  is  more  than  to 
make  .a  world,"  said  the  holy  and  tempted 
Luther.  And  the  pious  young  M'Ewen, 
the  estimable  writer  on  "  The  Types,"  has 
remarked,  that  "  consolation  is  a  commodity 
of  heaven,  not  to  be  imported  but  from  the 
distant  country  of  Immanuel.  It  is  God  alone, 


180  Philippians,  i.  21. 

the  God  of  peace,  to  whom  almighty  power 
belongeth,  that  can  comfort  the  soul." 


Philippians,  i.  21. 

For  me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain. 

And  well  may  a  Christian  count  death 
among  his  gains,  since  it  is  the  hand  of  death 
that  draws  the  curtain  of  the  great  tabernacle, 
and  lets  in  to  see  God  face  to  face!  in  that 
palace  of  inestimable  majesty,  where  we  shall 
have  the  strong  rays  of  his  glory  beat  full 
upon  us,  and  be  ourselves  made  strong  enough 
to  bear  them. — Bp.  Hopkins. 

Dr.  Finlay,  president  of  New  Jersey  col- 
lege, who  died  in  1766,  on  being  asked  if  he 
preferred  to  live  or  die,  said,  "  To  die:  though 
I  cannot  but  say  I  feel  the  same  strait  that 
Paul  did,  '  for  me  to  live  is  Christ,  but  to  die 
is  gain:'  but  should  God  by  a  miracle  prolong 
my  life,  I  will  still  continue  to  serve  him.  I 
have  tried  my  Master's  yoke,  and  will  never 
shrink  my  neck  from  it.  His  yoke  is  easy, 
and  his  burden  light." 


Hebrews,  iv.  15. — vi.  19.  181 

Hebrews,  iv.  15. 

For  we  have  not  an  High  Priest  which  cannot  be 
touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities. 

Christ  is  deeply  sensible  of  all  our  burdens, 
all  our  sorrows.  Such  sometimes  is  the  case 
with  the  saints,  that  among  men  they  have 
none  to  pity  them,  and  sympathize  with  them 
under  their  burdens.  But  even  then,  Christ 
bears  the  other  end  of  the  burden;  he  pities 
them,  and  sympathizes  with  them,  and  that 
according  to  the  weight  of  their  burden.  And 
oh,  how  sweet  is  that!  "No  matter,"  said 
an  holy  man,  "  how  heavy  the  burden  be,  so 
long  as  Christ  bears  the  other  end  of  it." — 
Pearse. 


Hebrews,  vi.  19. 

Which  hope  we  have  as  an  anchor  of  the  soul,  both 
sure  and  steadfast,  and  which  entereth  into  that  within 
the  veil. 

The  Christian's  hope  is  fastened  in  heaven, 
confirmed  by  the  fidelity  of  God's  promises, 
and  the  prevailing  intercession  of  Christ,  and 
secured  to  us  in  the  midst  of  all  the  turbulent 
agitations  in  the  wide  sea  below.  Hope  makes 
Q 


Id2  I1eju{e\v!s,  xh.  5. 

us  not  only  patient,  but  joyful  in  all  our  suf- 
ferings. A  Christian  encouraged  by  the 
blessed  hope,  comes  with  joy  to  death,  as  the 
door  that  opens  to  the  kingdom  of  glory  and 
immortal  blessedness. — Dr.  Bates. 

When  Dr.  Doddridge  was  dying,  he  said, 
"  I  have  no  hope  in  what  I  have  been  or  done. 
Yet,  I  am  full  of  confidence;  and  this  is  my 
confidence,  there  is  a  hope  set  before  me;  I 
have  fled,  1  still  fly  for  refuge  to  that  hope. 
In  Him  I  trust;  in  Him  I  have  strong  conso- 
lation, and  shall  assuredly  be  accepted  in  this 
Beloved  of  my  soul." 


Hebrews,  xii.  5. 

My  son,  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of  the  Lord, 
nor  faint  when  thou  art  rebuked  of  him. 


Some  are  discouraged  and  overborne  by 
afflictions  as  insupportable:  others  are  stub- 
born and  careless,  and  never  lay  them  to  heart: 
they  never  look  upward  to  the  original  effi- 
cient cause — an  offended  God,  nor  inward  to 
the  impulsive  deserving  cause — their  sins;  but 
esteem  them  fortuitous  events  that  happen  in 
this  mutable  state,  without  a  design  to  correct 


Hebrews,  xii.  5.  183 

and  inform  sinners;  or  to  proceed  from  a  blind 
necessity,  things  of  course;  or  merely  regard 
the  second  causes  and  instruments  of  their 
troubles.  Accordingly,  when  they  meet  with 
calamities,  all  their  care  is,  by  a  perverse 
shift,  to  seek  for  relief  only  in  temporal  com- 
forts; without  seriously  applying  themselves 
to  God,  whose  end  in  sending  troubles,  is  to 
reclaim  us  from  sin  to  holiness,  from  earth  to 
heaven,  from  the  creatures  to  himself. — Dr. 
Bates. 

Even  as  a  nurse,  whose  child's  imperfect  pace, 
Can  hardly  lead  his  foot  from  place  to  place, 
Leaves  her  fond  kissing,  sits  him  down  to  go, 
Nor  does  uphold  him  for  a  step  or  two: 
But  when  she  finds  that  he  begins  to  fall, 
She  holds  him  up,  and  kisses  him  withal ; 
So  God  from  man  sometimes  withdraws  his  hand 
Awhile,  to  teach  his  infant  faith  to  stand  ; 
But  when  he  sees  his  feeble  strength  begin 
To  fail,  he  gently  takes  him  up  again. 
Lord,  I'm  a  child ;  so  guide  my  paces,  then, 
That  I  may  learn  to  walk  an  upright  man; 
So  shield  my  faith,  that  I  may  never  doubt  thee, 
For  I  shall  fall,  if  ere  1  walk  without  thee. 

QUARLES. 


184  Hebrems,  xir.  6. 

Hebrews,  xii  6. 

For  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and 
scourgeth  every  son  whom  he  receiveth. 

There  is  not  a  stronger  evidence  of  his 
fatherly,  wise  love,  than  the  discipline  of  the 
rod,  and  the  afflicted  returning  sinner  may 
with  an  adoptive  assurance  come  to  the  throne 
of  grace.  By  afflictions  the  world  is  less 
enticing  and  hurtful  to  us,  and  heaven  is 
more  amiable  and  desirable:  the  things  that 
are  seen  are  vilified  and  distasted,  and  in- 
visible things  are  sought  with  our  highest 
esteem  and  respect,  and  zealous  endeavours. 
Those  lusts  that  spring,  and  grow,  and  flourish 
in  prosperity,  are  blasted,  and  wither  and  die 
in  adversity.  Those  who  forget  God  when 
prosperous  in  the  world,  are  taught  by  the 
voice  of  the  rod,  to  adore  his  Majesty,  obey 
his  laws,  imitate  his  holiness,  and  humbly  to 
accept  of  his  mercy.  By  afflictions  the  sensual 
appetites  are  subdued,  and  brought  into  order; 
a  low  state  is  a  protection  from  many  strong 
and  destructive  temptations.  Sickness  that 
brings  near  the  grave,  and  makes  us  feel  how 
frail  we  are,  renders  the  world  despicable, 
that   by  their  lusts  so   powerfully  infatuates 


Hebrews,  xii.  7.  185 

men  to  their  ruin.  Sanctified  affliction,  is  a 
happy  preparative  for  the  fuhiess  of  joy  in  the 
blessed  presence  of  God. — Dr.  Bates. 

My  God,  ray  Father,  blissful  name! 

O  may  I  call  thee  mine ; 
May  I  with  sweet  assurance  claim 

A  portion  so  divine? 

This  only  can  my  fears  control, 

And  bid  my  sorrows  fly; 
What  harm  can  ever  reach  my  soul, 

Beneath  my  Father's  eye? 

Mrs.  Steele. 


Hebrews,  xii.  7. 
If*  ye  endure  chastening,  God  dealeth  with  you  as  with 
sons;  for  what  son  is  he  wlioni  the  father  cliasteneth  not? 

That  is,  if  without  murmuring  or  fainting, 
if  with  that  respect  and  subjection  which  is 
due  to  the  high  and  holy  providence  of  God, 
then  we  may  be  assured  of  his  paternal  rela- 
tion to  us,  and  his  rod  comforts  us,  as  the 
strokes  of  it  are  an  argument  of  his  care  and 
love  to  us.  From  hence  proceeds  inexpres- 
sible and  peculiar  consolation  to  afllicted 
Christians:  the  same  afflictions,  as  to  matter 
q2 


186  Hebrews,  xii.  7. 

and  circumstances,  may  be  upon  humble  meek 
sufferers  and  refractory  stubborn  sinners  "that 
kick  against  the  pricks;"  but  they  are  dis- 
tinguished by  the  intention  of  God.  They 
are  sent  to  the  humble,  as  corrections  from 
the  wise  love  of  a  Father,  who  dearly  regards 
their  souls;  to  the  obdurate,  as  vengeance 
from  the  righteous  severity  of  a  Judge.  Upon 
the  humble  they  fall  as  soft  as  a  shower  of 
snow;  upon  the  other,  as  the  storm  of  fiery 
hail  upon  the  Egyptians;  and  the  issue  of 
them  is  different  as  heaven  and  hell. — Dr. 
Bates. 

Among  the  excellent  words  of  advice  to 
a  patient,  given  by  a  pious  physician,  Dr. 
Stonehouse,  are  the  following :  "  Lift  up 
your  heart  to  God  from  time  to  time;  and 
say  humbly,  whilst  you  are  bearing  his  chas- 
tisement, '  Show  me  wherefore  thou  con- 
tendest  with  me.  What  I  know  not,  teach 
thou  me;  and  wherein  I  have  done  iniquity, 
may  I  do  so  no  more.'  Yield  yourself  with 
a  true  filial  submission  to  the  rod  of  your 
heavenly  Father;  bear  it  patiently;  bear  it 
thankfully;  let  thoughts  of  most  unfeigned 
love  to  him  as  your  Father  mingle  them- 
selves with   all   you    sufier   from    his   hand; 


Hebrews,  xii.  8.  187 

and  labour  earnestly,  that  whether  the  health 
of  your  body  be  recovered,  or  continue  to 
decline  more  and  more,  the  health  of  your 
mind  may  be  greatly  promoted  by  this  course 
of  discipline,  and  by  every  day  of  it." 


Hebrews,  xii.  8. 


But,  if  ye  be  without  chastisement,  whereof  all  are 
partakers,  then  are  ye  bastards  and  not  sons. 

A  joyous  state  of  freedom  from  affliction, 
is  such  as  we  ought  to  watch  over  with  great 
jealousy  and  fear,  lest  it  should  be  a  leaving 
us  out  of  the  discipline  of  the  family  of  God; 
not  that  we  may  desire  afflictions,  as  such, 
much  less  excruciate  and  torment  ourselves; 
but  we  may  pray  that  we  may  not  want  any 
pledge  of  our  adoption,  leaving  the  ordering 
and  disposal  of  all  things  to  the  will  of  God. — 

BURKITT. 

Take  care.  Christian,  whatever  you  meet 
with  in  your  way,  that  you  forget  not  your 
Father!  When  the  proud  and  wealthy  rush 
by  in  triumph,  while  you  are  poor  and  in  sor- 
row, hear  the  voice  of  your  Father,  saying, 
*My  son,  had  I  loved  them,  I  should  have 


188  Hebrews,  xii.  9. 

corrected  them  too.  I  give  them  up  to  the 
ways  of  their  own  hearts;  but  to  my  children, 
if  I  give  sorrow,  it  is  that  I  may  lead  them  to 
a  crown  of  glory  that  fadeth  not  away.' — 
Cecil. 


Hebrews,  xii.  9. 

Furthermore,  we  have  had  fathers  of  our  flesh,  which 
corrected  us,  and  we  gave  them  reverence :  shall  we  not 
much  rather  be  in  subjection  unto  the  Father  of  spirits, 
and  live  ? 

The  two  persons  whom  the  apostle  com- 
pares together,  that  is,  God  and  rpan,  have 
this  in  common,  one  and  the  other  is  a  father, 
one  and  the  other  chasteneth,  one  and  the 
other  is  carried  out  to  it  by  love,  one  and  the 
other  designs  advantage;  but  as  there  is  this 
resemblance,  so  there  is  a  great  difference; 
man  is  but  the  father  of  the  bod}^,  the  more 
ignoble  part  of  our  natures,  that  which  we 
have  common  with  beasts.  God  is  the  Father 
of  our  spirits,  the  more  noble  part,  and  that 
which  makes  us  properly  men;  more  sub- 
mission is,  therefore,  due  to  Him,  who  confers 
more  upon  us,  than  to  those  who  confer  less. 
The  love  which  fathers  bear  to  their  children 


Hebrews,  xii.  10.  189 

is  a  passion,  and  many  times  is  not  regulated 
by  reason;  but  the  love  of  God  is  a  true  love, 
not  mingled  with  any  imperfection  either  of 
excess  or  defect,  and,  therefore,  doth  nothing 
but  with  the  justest  reason.  Again,  earthly 
fathers  aim  at  the  good  of  their  children,  but 
their  ignorance  is  so  great  that  often  they 
mistake  it;  but  the  knowledge  of  God  is  as 
perfect  as  his  love,  who  always  chastise th  his 
people  for  their  true  good,  and,  therefore,  a 
greater  submission  is  due  to  him. — Charnock. 

Dear  Father,  we  consent 
To  discipline  divine ; 
And  bless  the  pains  that  make  our  souls 
Still  more  completely  thine. 

Dr.  Doddridge. 


Hebrews,  xii.  10. 

For  they  verily  for  a  few  days  chastened  us  after  their 
own  pleasure ;  but  he  for  our  profit,  that  we  might  be 
partakers  of  his  holiness. 

The  apostle  here  specifies  the  immediate 
end  of  God  in  his  chastenings.  This  is  the 
supreme  excellency  of  the  Divine  nature;  and 
our  conformity  to  it  is  so  valuable,   that   it 


190  Hebrews,  xii.  10. 

renders  afflictions  not  only  tolerable,  but  so 
far  desirable  as  they  contribute  to  it.  In  the 
present  state,  our  graces  are  imperfect,  and 
our  conformity  to  the  Divine  purity  is  like 
the  resemblance  of  the  sun  in  a  watery  cloud, 
very  much  beneath  the  perfection  and  radiancy 
of  that  great  light.  Now  God  is  pleased  to 
fashion  us  according  to  his  image  by  afflictions, 
as  a  statue  is  cut  by  the  artificer,  to  bring  it 
into  a  beautiful  form.  He  is  pleased  to  bring 
us  into  divers  temptations,  to  try  our  faith,  to 
work  in  us  patience,  to  inflame  our  prayers,  to 
mortify  our  carnal  desires,  to  break  those  vo- 
luntary bonds  whereby  we  are  fettered  to  the 
earth,  that  we  may  live  with  those  affections, 
wherewith  others  die.  x\nd  certainly  if  we 
make  a  true  judgment  of  things,  we  have  not 
the  least  cause  to  suspect  the  love  of  God 
when  he  chastises  us  to  take  away  sin,  the 
only  abominable  object  of  his  hatred  and  deep 
detestation,  and  to  render  us  partakers  of  the 
Divine  nature. — Dr.  Bates. 

Whate'er  thy  sacred  will  ordains, 

O  give  me  strength  to  bear  ; 
And  let  me  know  my  Father  reigns, 

And  trust  his  tender  care. 


Hebrews,  xii.  11.  191 

Tliy  sovereign  ways  arc  all  unknown 

To  my  weak,  erring  sight ; 
Yet  let  my  soul  adoring  own, 

That  ail  thy  ways  are  right. 

My  God,  my  Father,  he  thy  name 

My  solace  and  my  stay; 
Lord,  wilt  tHou'  seal  my  humble  claim, 

And  drive  my  fears  away. 

Mrs.  Steele. 


Hebrews,  xii.  11. 

Now  no  chastening  for  the  present  seemeth  to  he 
joyous,  but  grievous;  nevertheless,  afterward  it  yieldeth 
the  peaceable  fruit  of  righteousness  unto  them  which  are 
exercised  thereby, 

It  is  an  allusion  to  the  rewards  in  the  Olym- 
pic games,  when  the  persons  that  overcame  in 
those  exercises  were  crowned  with  wreaths 
of  olive-leaves,  the  emblem  of  peace.  Thus 
Christians,  who,  with  unfainting  perseverance 
in  their  duty,  suffer  affliction,  shall  be  reward- 
ed with  holiness,  in  conjunction  with  peace. 
This  peaceable  fruit  of  righteousness  is  not  the 
natural  product  of  affliction:  grapes  do  not 
spring  from  thorns,  nor  figs  from  thistles; 
neither  can  it  be  so  properly  ascribed  to  the 


192  Hebrews,  xii.  11. 

afflicted  person,  as  to  the  powerful  virtue  and 
special  grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  who  sanctifies 
afflictions,  and  makes  them  profitable  for  effect- 
ing God's  intention  by  them.  And  when  the 
afflicted  person  becomes  more  humble,  more 
holy,  more  Weaned  from  the  world,  more  re- 
signed to  the  will  of  God,  this  fruit  unto  holi- 
ness, will  compensate  all  his  pains  and  sorrows. 
And,  in  conjunction  with  holiness,  there  is  a 
divine  peace,  a  holy  calm  and  quietness  of 
conscience,  in  the  sense  of  God's  favour.  His 
answers  of  peace  are  usually  a  reward,  accord- 
ing to  the  operations  of  grace;  his  comforts 
are  dispensed  as  encouragements  to  obedience. 
Besides,  when  the  sinful  corruptions  are 
purged  out,  which  caused  perpetual  disturb- 
ance, and  our  affections  and  actions  are  cor- 
respondent to  the  Divine  law,  there  is  that 
clearness  and  serenity  of  mind,  that  ease  and 
rest  in  the  soul,  arising  from  its  just  and  due 
subordination  unto  God,  which  the  disobe- 
dient, in  all  their  seeming  prosperity,  never 
enjoy.  "There  is  no  peace,  saith  my  God, 
to  the  wicked."  These  beginnings  of  happi- 
ness are  obtained  here,  but  the  perfection  of 
it  is  in  the  next  life. — Dr.  Bates 


James,  i.  2.  193 

"Grace  withereth  without  adversity,"  says 
the  pious  Rutherford. 


James,  i.  2. 

My  brethren,  count  it  all  joy  when  ye  fall  into  divers 
temptations. 

One  trouble  worketh  into  the  hands  of 
another,  and  the  succession  of  them  is  as  ne- 
cessary as  the  first  stroke.  We  often  make  it 
necessary  for  God  to  renew  his  corrections: 
things  to  which  we  are  accustomed  do  not 
affect  us:  therefore,  under  a  general  affliction, 
there  comes  in  many  special  ones  to  rub  up 
our  sense,  and  make  it  work  the  better.  Un- 
der public  calamities  we  have  a  private  one; 
and  they  come  one  on  the  neck  of  another 
like  waves.  When  God  hath  begun  he  will 
make  an  end,  and  bring  his  discipline  to  some 
more  comfortable  and  perfect  issue.  In  all 
these  things  the  wisdom  of  God  is  to  be  ob- 
served.— Dr.  Manton. 

There  is  not  a  plant  upon  earth,  how  un- 
sightly and  bitter  soever,  but  which  hath  an 
end  for  its  being.  God,  likewise,  hath  not 
intended  his  providential  works,  however  ad- 


194  James,  i.  4. 

verse  or  disagreeable  to  our  sense,  but  for 
some  just  purpose  and  design.  There  is  a 
needs  be,  if  we  "  fall  into  divers  temptations:" 
and  if  needful,  then  they  are  right  and  pro- 
fitable, and  will  appear  to  be  so  at  last. — 
Serle. 


James,  i.  4. 

Let  patience  have  her  perfect  work. 

For  afflictions  will  have  their  perfect  work: 
when  they  make  long  work,  let  patience  make 
long  work  too.  When  God  encamps  against 
us,  let  us  speedily  give  up  the  strong-holds  of 
sin,  but  let  us  maintain  the  strong-holds  of 
grace,  the  forts  of  faith  and  patience,  quitting 
ourselves  like  men,  or  rather  like  Christians; 
let  us  give  proof  of  holy  courage  in  the  hot- 
test assaults,  and  in  the  longest  sieges.  The 
Lord  doth  not  intend  ruin  to  our  persons, 
though  he  ruin  our  tabernacles. — Caryl. 

If  God  hath  sent  thee  a  cross,  take  it  up, 
and  follow  him;  use  it  wisely,  lest  it  be  un- 
profitable; bear  it  patiently,  lest  it  be  intole- 
rable: behold  in  it  God's  anger  against  sin,  and 
his  love  towards  thee,  in  punishing  the  one 
and  chastening  the  other;  if  it  be  slight,  slight 


James,  i.  12.  195 

it  not;  if  heavy,  murmur  not:  not  to  be  sensi- 
ble of  a  judgment  is  a  symptom  of  a  hardened 
heart,  and  to  be  displeased  at  his  displeasure 
is  a  sign  of  a  rebellious  will. — Quarles. 

If  God  confirm  and  augment  thy  patience 
under  sufferings,  sufferings  are  mercies,  afflic- 
tions are  favours.  He  blesseth  thee  by  chas- 
tisements, and  crowneth  thee  with  glory,  even 
while  he  seems  to  crown  thee  with  thorns.  A 
perfect  patience  stoops  to  the  heaviest  burdens, 
and  carries  them  as  long  as  God  shall  please, 
without  murmuring  or  repining;  and  if  that 
be  to  the  grave,  it  knows  that  what  is  now  a 
load,  shall  then  be  found  to  be  a  treasure.  A 
Christian  doth  but  carry  his  own  wealth,  his 
crown  and  his  sceptre;  which,  though  here 
they  be  burdensome,  shall  hereafter  be  eter- 
nally glorious. — Bp.  Hopkins. 


James,  i.  12. 

Blessed  is  the  man  that  endureth  temptation :  for  when 
he  is  tried,  he  shall  receive  the  crown  of  life,  which  the 
Lord  hath  promised  to  them  that  love  him. 

"  When  he  is  tried,"  when  he  is  approved, 
when  his  graces  are  found  to  be  true,  and  of 
the  highest  worth,  (so  metals  are  tried,  as  to 


196  James,  i.  12. 


their  excellency,  by  the  fire,)  and  his  integrity 
is  manifested,  and  all  is  approved  of  by  the 
great  Judge.  Note,  that  to  be  approved  of 
God,  is  the  great  aim  of  a  Christian  in  all  his 
trials;  and  this  will  be  his  blessedness  at  last, 
when  he  shall  receive  the  crown  of  life.  The 
tried  Christian  shall  be  a  crowned  one,  and 
the  crown  he  shall  wear  will  be  a  crown  of 
life;  it  will  be  life  and  bliss  to  him,  and  it 
will  last  for  ever.  We  only  bear  the  cross 
for  awhile,  but  we  shall  bear  the  crown  to 
eternity. — M.  Henry. 

Oh,  reward  truly  great  above  desert,  yea 
above  conception!  A  crown  for  a  few  groans; 
an  eternal  crown  of  life  and  glory,  for  a  short 
and  momentary  suflfering!  How  just  is 
Paul's  account,  that  the  afflictions  of  this  pre- 
sent life  are  not  worthy  of  the  glory  which 
shall  be  showed  unto  us!  0  Lord,  let  me 
smart  that  I  may  reign;  uphold  thou  me  in 
smarting,  that  thou  mayest  hold  me  worthy 
of  reigning.  It  is  no  matter  how  vile  I  be,  so 
I  may  be  glorious.  What  say  you?  Would 
you  not  be  afflicted?  Whether  had  you  ra- 
ther mourn  for  awhile,  or  for  ever?  One 
must  be  chosen:  the  selection  is  easy.  Whe- 
ther had  you  rather  rejoice  for  one  fit  or  al- 


James,  v.  7.  197 

ways?  You  would  do  both.  Pardon  me,  it 
is  a  fond  covetousness,  and  idle  singularity 
to  affect  it.  What!  That  you  alone  may  fare 
better  than  all  God's  saints?  That  God  should 
strew  carpets  for  your  nice  feet,  only  to  walk 
into  your  heaven,  and  make  that  way  smooth 
for  you,  which  all  patriarchs,  prophets,  evan- 
gelists, confessors,  and  Christ  himself,  have 
found  rugged  and  bloody?  Away  with  this 
seJf-love,  and  come  down,  ye  ambitious  sons 
of  Zebedee,  and  before  you  think  of  sitting 
near  the  throne,  be  content  to  be  called  unto 
the  cup.  Now  is  your  trial;  let  your  Saviour 
see  how  much  of  his  bitter  potion  you  can 
pledge,  then  shall  you  see  how  much  of  his 
glory  he  can  afford  you.  Be  content  to 
drink  of  his  vinegar  and  gall,  and  you  shall 
drink  new  wine  with  him  in  his  kingdom. — 
Bp.  Hall. 


James,  v.  7. 
Be  patient,  brethren,  till  the  coming  of  the  Lord. 

Do  you  bear  the  affliction  till  Christ  come 
and  take  it  off.  Let  your  patience  be  of  the 
same  extent  with  your  sufferings. — Case. 

Affliction  is  a  pill,  which,  if  wrapped  up  in 
R  2 


198  James,  v.  13. 

patience,  may  be  easily  swallowed;  but,  when 
discontent  puts  us  upon  chewing  it,  proves 
bitter  and  disgusting.  Impatience  under  af- 
fliction makes  it  more  grievous;  like  a  man 
in  a  fever,  who,  by  tossing  and  tumbling,  ex- 
asperates the  disease,  and  increases  his  own 
grief." — Flavel. 


James,  v.  13. 

Is  any  among  you  afflicted?  let  him  pray. 

That  is  the  proper  season  of  devotion;  what 
the  state  of  things  then  peculiarly  calls  for; 
and  we  find  that,  generally,  the  temper  of  our 
minds  agrees  thereto.  It  is,  indeed,  a  shame 
for  us,  that  we  need  such  a  summons  into  the 
Divine  presence,  when  it  is  so  much  our  in- 
terest and  honour  to  be  there.  But  God  is 
pleased,  in  his  condescension  and  grace,  to 
consider  our  infirmities  and  wants,  and  to 
take  methods  with  us  accordingly. — Benja- 
min Bennet. 

"  Is  any  afflicted?  let  him  pray,"  for  that  is 
the  surest  and  speediest  way  of  obtaining  re- 
lief. It  may  be  the  design  of  God,  in  blasting 
earthly  comforts,  to  drive  us  to  our  knees.    By 


1  Peter,  i.  6.  199 

bringing  us  into  trouble,  and  showing  us  the 
insufficiency  of  creatures  to  help  us,  he  may- 
intend  to  lead  our  thoughts  up  to  himself,  the 
fountain  of  living  waters. — Lavington. 

O  Lord,  our  strength  and  righteousness, 
Our  hope  and  refuge  in  distress, 

Our  Saviour,  and  our  God ; 
See  here,  an  helpless  sinner  see, 
Sick  and  in  pain  he  gasps  to  thee, 

And  waits  to  feel  thy  blood. 

In  sickness  make  Thou  all  his  bed, 
Thy  hand  support  his  fainting  head, 

His  feeble  soul  defend ; 
Teach  him  on  thee  to  cast  his  care. 
And  all  his  grief  and  burden  bear. 

And  love  him  to  the  end. 

Charles  Wesley. 


1  Peter,  i.  6. 

Though  now  for  a  season,  if  need  be,  ye  are  in  heavi- 
ness through  manifold  temptations. 

"  Manifold  temptations,"  or  afflictions.  Ob- 
serve now,  Peter  puts  an  "  If  need  be,"  or  a 
supposition  of  necessity,  upon  the  afflictions  of 
believers.     As  if  he  had  said,  "  Ye,  who  are 


200  1  Peter,  i.  6. 

the  candidates  of  eternity,  and  heirs  of  salva- 
tion, may  judge  yourselves  past  the  rod  or  the 
ferula,  and  think  now  ye  have  need  of  nothing 
but  comfort  and  rejoicing  in  the  hope  of  that 
salvation,  ready  to  be  revealed;  but  I  tell  you, 
you  may  have  need  of  heaviness  yet,  before 
you  come  to  heaven:  and  of  manifold  tempta- 
tions, for  the  removing  or  subduing  the  cor- 
ruptions of  your  hearts,  before  you  enter  upon 
your  incorruptible  inheritance."  We  are  apt 
to  conceive  chastenings  to  be  of  no  use,  when 
they  are  as  necessary  as  our  daily  bread: 
therefore,  despise  not  chastenings  as  useless 
or  unprofitable. — Caryl. 

We  have  many  evil  humours  that  require 
corrections;  and  God  sends  adversity,  as  a 
medicine  for  the  soul.  When  it  comes  with 
grace  into  the  spirit  of  a  Christian,  how  doth 
it  soften  and  blunt  his  rough  and  acid  disposi- 
tions, how  reform  and  lower  his  swelling  and 
confident  frames,  how  chasten  and  subdue  his 
restless  and  impatient  tempers!  while  the  bet- 
ter part,  his  renewed  mind,  gathers  strength 
and  holiness,  and  resignation  and  hope.  We 
shall,  indeed,  thank  God  heartily  for  all  our 
adversities  by  and  by;  and,  though  they  are 
not  to  be  counted  as  any  part  of  our  inherit- 


1  Peter,  i.  7.  -  201 

ance,  we  shall  rejoice  eternally,  that  they 
were  graciously  made  a  part  of  the  means 
for  bringing  us  to  it.  Lazarus  himself  can 
now  rejoice  over  all  his  sores. — Ambrose 
Serle. 


1  Peter,  i.  7. 
That  the  trial  of  your  faith,  being  much  more  precious 
than  of  gold  that  perisheth,  though  it  be  tried  with  fire, 
might  be  found  unto  praise,  and  honour,  and  glory,  at 
the  appearing  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Other  graces  are  likewise  tried  in  the  same 
furnace,  but  faith  is  named  as  the  root  of  all 
the  rest.  Sharp  afflictions  give  a  Christian  a 
trial  of  his  love  to  God,  whether  it  be  single 
and  for  himself  or  not;  for  then  it  will  be  the 
same  when  he  strikes  as  when  he  embraces, 
and  in  the  fire  of  affliction  will  rather  grow 
the  hotter,  and  be  more  taken  off  from  the 
world  and  set  upon  him.  Again,  the  grace 
of  patience  is  put  particularly  upon  trial  in 
distresses,  but  both  these  spring  from  faith; 
for  love  rises  from  a  right  and  strong  belief 
of  the  goodness  of  God;  and  patience  from  a 
persuasion  of  the  wisdom  and  love  of  God, 
and  the  truth  of  his  promises.  He  hath  said, 
"  I  will  not  forsake  thee,"  and  that  we  shall 


202  1  Peter,  v.  6. 

not  be  templed  above  our  strength,  and  he 
will  give  the  issue.  Now  the  belief  of  these 
things  causes  patience.  "  The  trial  of  faith 
worketh  patience,"  James,  i.  3.  For,  there- 
fore, doth  the  Christian  resign  up  himself,  and 
all  that  concerns  him,  his  trials,  the  measure 
and  length  of  them  all,  unto  God's  disposal, 
because  he  knows  that  he  is  in  the  hands  of  a 
wise  and  loving  Father.  Thus  the  trial  of 
these,  and  other  particular  graces,  doth  still 
resolve  into  this,  and  is  comprised  under  the 
trial  of  faith. — Abp.  Leighton. 

Is  he  a  fire  ?     He'll  purge  my  dross, 
But  the  true  gold  sustains  no  loss; 
Like  a  refiner  shall  he  sit. 
And  tread  the  refuse  with  his  feet. 

Dk.  Watts. 

1  Peter,  v.  6. 

Humble  yourselves  therefore  under  the  mighty  hand 
of  God,  that  he  may  exalt  you  in  due  time. 

Many  have  had  great  and  many  pressures, 
one  affliction  after  another,  and  been  humbled, 
and  yet  not  made  humble,  as  they  commonly 
express  the  difference:  humbled  by  force,  in 
regard  of  their   outward    condition,  but  not 


1  Peter,  v.  6.  203 

humbled  in  their  inward  temper;  and,  there- 
fore, as  soon  as  the  weight  is  off,  like  heaps  of 
wool,  they  rise  up  again,  and  grow  as  big  as 
they  were. 

If  we  would  consider  this  in  our  particular 
trials,  and  aim  at  this  deportment,  it  were  our 
wisdom.  Are  they  not  mad,  that,  under  any 
stroke,  quarrel  or  struggle  against  God? 
What  gain  your  children  thus  at  your  hands 
but  more  blows?  Nor  is  this  only  an  un- 
seemly and  unhappy  way,  openly  to  resist 
and  strive,  but  even  secretly  to  fret  and 
grumble:  for  he  hears  the  least  whispering  of 
the  heart,  and  looks  most  how  that  behaves 
itself  under  his  hand.  Oh!  humble  accept- 
ance of  his  chastisement  is  our  duty  and  our 
peace;  that  which  gains  most  on  the  heart  of 
our  Father,  and  makes  the  rod  fall  soonest  out 
of  his  hand. — Abp.  Leighton. 

"  Remember,  troubled  soul,^'  says  one,  "  re- 
member well,  bitterly  humbling  winters  do 
make  sweet  and  fruitful  summers." 

We  are  never  so  much  in  God's  eye,  as 
when  we  are  least  in  our  own;  nor  have  we 
ever  so  much  of  God,  as  when  we  expect 
little  or  least  from  man.  Say,  therefore,  it 
is  well  with  the  righteous,  when  they  are  in 


204  1  Peter,  v.  10. 

the  deeps  of  afflictions;  for  it  is  but  to  bring 
them  off  their  mountains  of  pride,  that  they 
may  be  exalted  in  the  strength  and  love  of 
God. — Caryl. 


1  Peter,  v.  10. 

But  the  God  of  all  grace,  who  hath  called  us  unto  his 
eternal  glory  by  Christ  Jesus,  after  that  ye  have  suffered 
awhile,  make  you  perfect,  stablish,  strengthen,  settle 
you. 

Some  may  say,  "  What  connexion  is  there 
between  suffering  and  glory?  Surely,  when 
we  are  called  and  justified,  we  might  as  well 
pass  immediately  into  glory,  without  being 
tortured  in  the  furnace  of  affliction.  What 
little  dross  we  have  (if  we  have  any)  would 
perhaps  have  separated  of  itself,  or  might 
have  been  taken  away  by  a  gentle  process; 
and  if  we  were  always  easy  in  our  circum- 
stances, and  our  spirits  never  soured  with 
trouble,  we  should  be  fitter  to  enter  into  the 
joy  of  our  Lord."  So  we  are  apt  to  think;  but 
God,  who  best  knows  our  frame,  hath  thought 
and  determined  otherwise:  "Through  much 
tribulation  we  must  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
God,"  Acts,  xiv.  22.     "  For  whom  the  Lord 


1  Peter,  v.  10.  205 

loveth  he  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth  every 
son  whom  he  receiveth,"  Heb.  xii.  6.  The 
iron  that  is  rusty  must  undergo  the  file  before 
it  can  be  made  bright.  The  tree  that  hath 
many  luxuriant  shoots,  must  undergo  the 
pruning  knife,  that  the  fruit  may  have  proper 
nourishment.  The  sufferer  that  hath  a  dan- 
gerous wound  must  undergo  very  many  dress- 
ings, and  perhaps  amputation,  that  life  may 
be  preserved.  So  must  the  saints  and  people 
of  God,  (who,  with  all  their  circumspection, 
cannot  altogether  escape  the  pollutions  which 
are  in  the  world,)  undergo  many  a  fiery  trial, 
before  they  can  be  fit  for  the  pure  and  perfect 
society  and  entertainments  of  heaven.  But, 
since  we  must  suffer,  it  is  a  comfort  to  think 
that  it  shall  only  be  for  '•  a  while;"  indeed,  to 
sense,  and  an  impatient  spirit,  it  may  seem  a 
long  while;  but  to  faith,  that  looks  more  to 
the  things  which  are  unseen  and  eternal,  it 
will  seem  a  short  time. — Lavington. 

Cease,  ye  pilgrims,  cease  to  mourn ; 

Press  onward  to  the  prize ; 
Soon  your  Saviour  will  return 

Triumphant  in  the  skies : 


206  Revelations,  hi.  19. 

Yet  a  season,  and  you  know 
Happy  entrance  will  be  given, 

All  your  sorrows  left  below, 

And  earth  exchanged  for  heaven. 

Cennick. 


Revelations,  iii.  19. 

As  many  as  I  love  I  rebuke  and  chasten. 

Christ  does  not,  therefore,  love  his  children 
because  he  corrects  them,  but  he  therefore 
corrects  them  because  he  loves  them.  Name 
the  favourite  whom  God  loved  too  well  to 
strike;  nay,  commonly  there  goes  the  severest 
exercises  where  there  has  been  the  greatest 
love.  Let  not,  then,  God's  chastenings  of 
us  abate  our  love  to  him;  necessity  compels 
God  to  correct;  nothing  is  done  by  rods,  but 
what  could  not  be  effected  without  them. — 

BURKITT. 

Did  I  meet  no  trials  here, 
No  chastisement  by  the  way, 
Might  I  not  with  reason  fear 
I  should  prove  a  cast-away? 

Bastards  may  escape  the  rod, 
Sunk  in  earthly  vain  delight; 


Revelations,  xxi.  4.  207 

But  the  true  born  child  of  God, 
Must  not,  would  not,  if  he  might. 

COWPER. 


Revelations,  xxi.  4. 

And  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes ; 
and  there  shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor 
crying,  neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain:  for  the 
former  things  are  passed  away. 

The  new  and  blessed  state  w^ill  be  free  from 
all  trouble  and  sorrow.  All  the  effects  of 
former  trouble  shall  be  done  away;  God's 
people  have  been  often  before  in  tears,  by 
reason  of  sin,  of  affliction,  of  the  calamities  of 
the  church;  but  now  all  tears  shall  be  wiped 
away;  no  signs,  no  remembrance  of  former 
sorrows  shall  remain,  any  further  than  to 
make  their  present  felicity  the  greater:  God 
himself,  as  their  tender  Father,  with  his  own 
kind  hand,  shall  wipe  away  the  tears  of  his 
children ;  and  they  would  not  have  been  with- 
out those  tears,  when  God  shall  come  and 
wipe  them  away.  All  the  causes  of  future 
sorrow  shall  be  for  ever  removed ;  there  shall 
be  neither  death  nor  pain;  and,  therefore,  no 
sorrow  nor  crying:  these  are  things  incident 
to  that  state  in  which  they  were  before,  but 


208  Revelations,  xxi.  4. 

now  all  "  former  things  are  passed  away." — 
M.  Henry. 

Let  us  learn  our  obligations  to  the  Re- 
deemer of  sinners.  Our  tears  would  never 
have  been  wiped  away,  but  a  miserable  life 
w^ould  have  been  followed  by  a  more  miserable 
eternity,  had  not  he  interposed  on  our  behalf, 
and  borne  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the 
tree.  "  These  are  they  that  came  out  of  great 
tribulation,  and  have  washed  their  robes,  and 
made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb; 
therefore,  are  they  before  the  throne." 

Christians !  in  the  multitude  of  your  thoughts 
within  you,  let  this  comfort  delight  your  souls: 
Life  is  the  date  of  all  your  griefs.  If  the  one 
be  short,  the  other  cannot  be  long.  Not  a 
single  tear  beyond  the  grave!  Bear  up,  faith, 
hope,  and  patience,  a  little  longer,  and  the  eye 
shall  see  evil  no  more. — Jay. 

My  soul,  this  curious  house  of  clay, 

Thy  present  frail  abode. 
Must  quickly  fall  to  worms  a  prey, 

And  thou  return  to  God. 

Canst  thou,  by  faith,  survey  with  joy 
The  change  before  it  cojne  ? 


Revelations,  xxi.  4.  209 

And  say,  "  Let  death  this  house  destroy, 
I  have  a  heavenly  home?" 

The  Saviour,  whom  I  then  shall  see 

With  new  admiring  eyes. 
Already  has  prepared  for  me 

A  mansion  in  the  skies.* 

T  feel  this  mud-wall  cottage  shake. 

And  long  to  see  it  fall  ; 
That  I  my  willing  flight  may  take 

To  him  who  is  my  all. 

Burdened  and  groaning  then  no  more. 

My  rescued  soul  shall  sing, 
As  up  the  shining  path  I  soar, 

"  Death,  thou  hast  lost  thy  sting." 

Dear  Saviour,  help  us  now  to  seek, 

And  know  thy  grace's  power; 
That  we  may  all  this  language  speak 

Before  the  dying  hour. 

*  2  Corinthians,  v.  1. 


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19.  THE  SPIRIT  OF  PRAYER.  By  Rev.  Natha- 
niel  Vincent.     Price  19  cents. 

This  may  safely  be   pronounced  to  be   an  admirable 


PRESBYTERIAN    PUBLICATIONS. 

treatise  on  Prayer,  which,  although  bearing  some  of  the 
traces  of  an  old  fashioned  style,  is  full  of  the  most  im- 
pressive and  instructive  matter. 

20.    A    GUIDE    TO    CHRISTIAN    COMMUNl- 

CANTS,  in  the  Exercise  of  Self-Examination.  By  Rev. 
William  Trail.     Price  15  cents. 

The  Christian  who  will  faithfully  apply  the  rules  here 
recommended  for  self-examination,  will  soon  be  able  to 
converse  with  his  own  soul,  and  to  ascertain  its  true 
state. 

21.  THE  DOCTRINE  OF  REGENERATION;  se- 
lected from  the  Writings  of  the  Rev.  Stephen  Charnock. 
Price  63  cents. 

This,  like  all  Charnock's  works,  is  scriptural,  discrimi- 
nating, and  highly  instructive. 

22.  AN  EXPOSITION  OF  A  PORTION  OF  THE 
EPISTLE  TO  THE  ROMANS,  in  the  form  of  Ques- 
tions  and  Answers.  By  J.  J.  Janeway,  D.D.  Price  15 
cents. 

To  those  who  wish  to  study  this  important  Epistle,  and 
especially  to  Bible  classes,  this  will  be  a  very  valuable 
aid. 

23.'  THE  SPRUCE  STREET  LECTURES,  deli- 
vered  by  several  clergymen,  during  the  years  1831-32. 
Price  one  dollar. 

These  Lectures  on  important  Presbyterian  doctrines, 
are  from  the  pens  of  some  of  our  ablest  divines.  It  is  a 
valuable  book,  and  deserves  attention. 

24.  LOVE  TO  CHRIST,  chiefly  extracted  from 
"  The  True  Christian's  Love  of  the  unseen  Christ."  By 
Thomas  Vincent. 

The  Christian  and  unbeliever  will  find  in  this  book 
the  most  pathetic  and  forcible  appeals  to  stir  up  in  their 
souls  true  love  to  the  Saviour. 

25.  A  FRIENDLY  VISIT  TO  THE  HOUSE  OF 
MOURNING.    By  Rev.  Richard  Cecil.     Price  15  cents. 

This  is  a  charming  and  consolatory  treatise. 


PRESBYTERIAN   PUBLICATIONS. 

26.  THE  LIFE  OF  MAJOR  GENERAL  AiNDREW 
BURN,  of  the  Royal  Marines.     Price  38  cents. 

The  lover  of  Biography  will  find  a  rich  treat  in  the 
memoirs  of  one,  who  passed  through  many  vicissitudes, 
encountered  many  dangers,  and  who  maintained  a  high 
Christian  character  in  the  most  difficult  stations. 

27.  The  authorized  version  of  the  PSALMS  and 
HYMNS,  of  various  sizes  and  bindings. 

TRACTS. 

Twenty-one  tracts  have  been  published;  the  smallest 
consisting  of  12  pages,  and  the  larger  of  129  pages.  Of 
these,  various  editions  have  been  issued.  Nine  of  these 
are  also  published  in  a  volume. 

The  Board  of  Publication  will  produce  their  publica- 
tions as  rapidly  as  circumstances  will  permit.  A  benig- 
nant  Providence  has  smiled  on  the  efforts  of  this  infant 
institution;  but,  as  must  be  perceived,  its  prosperity  and 
enlarged  operations  must  mainly  depend  on  the  demand 
that  shall  be  created  for  its  publications. 

[0=  Orders  for  Books  or  Tracts,  from  Presbyteries, 
Churches,  Booksellers,  and  others,  should  be  addressed 
to  William  S.  Martien,  Publishing  Agent  of  the  Board, 
South-east  corner  of  Seventh  and  George  streets,  Phila- 
delphia. 

*^*  Donations  to  the  Board  should  be  sent  to  A.  W. 
Mitchell,  M.  D.,  Treasurer,  Walnut,  above  Broad  street, 
Philadelphia. 


DATE  DUE 

HIGHSMITH  #45115 

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